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PhotDgrapliic 

Sciences 

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CIHM/ICMH 
Microfiche 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The 

to  tl 


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n 


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Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pellicul6e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

D 


D 


D 


D 


Coloured  maps/ 

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Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


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I    ~]    Pages  damaged/ 
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Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pelliculies 


0 


D 


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Pages  ddcolordes..  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 


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Pages  ddtach^es 

Showthrough/ 
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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
pos 
oft 
film 


Oric 

beg 

the 

sior 

oth( 

first 

sior 

or  11 


The 
shal 
TIN 
whi 

Mat 
diffi 
enti 
beg 
righ 
reqi 
met 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmA  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


J 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  Victoria 
McPherson  Library 


L'exemplaire  fiimd  fut  reproduit  grdce  t  la 
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McPherson  Library 


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conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


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d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol      »  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning   "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Stre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  S  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

■/ .. 


SaI^B   rioiBIGBl 


&hetJ  Ooon  /'eu>7)j/,i  /o 


^ieje>i&.c/ 


fiv . 


lU 


THE  brownies: 

THEIR   BOOK 


BY 
PALMER  COX 


K 


PUBLISHED   BY 
THE  CENTURY  CO. 

NEW-YORK 


i 


UNIVERSITY  QF  VICTOKcA 

LIBRARY 

Victoria,  •.  C. 


.■if»»=r— r-Tiii^r— - 


Copyright,  1887,  by  The  Century  Co. 


Jl 


M 


•BROvyniES,  like  fairies  and  goblins,  are 
imaginary  little  sprites,  who  are  supposed 
to  delight  in  harmless  pranks  and  helpful 
deeds.  Tbey  work  and  sport  while  weary 
households  sleep,  and  never  allow  themselves 
to  be  seen  hy  mortal  eyes. 


iiMwili 


1 


^ 


^ 


>  [ 


CONTENTS. 


J^ 


The  BRo^vNIEs  at  School 


The  Bkownies'  Ride 


The  Brownies  on  Skates 


The  Brownies  on  Bicycles 


The  Brownies  at  Lawn-tennis 


The 


*     -    ■       •■ 


Brownies'  Good  Work 

is 


PAOE 
1 


14 


19 


25 


30 


The  r$«(n\'MEH  at  the  Gymnasium 


The  Brownies'  Feast 


The  Browtjies  Tobogganing 


The  Brownies'  Walloon 


J 


The  Brownies 


Canoeing 


The  Brownies  in  the  Menagerie 


The  Brownies'  Circus 


The  Bronvnies 


AT  Base-ball 


The  Brownies  and  the  Bees 


The  Brownies  on  Roller  Skates 


•  • 


=  '•'  •■  ,     * 


•  i  ■ 


^A* 


PAOE 

36 


42 


48 


55 


62 


68 


73 


78 


83 


89 


/I 


The  Brownies  at  the  Seaside 


The  Brownieh  and  the  Spinning-wheel 


The  Brownies'  Voyage 


The 


Bro\vnieh'  Return 


The  Brownies'  Sinotno-school 


Friendly  Turn 


The  Bronvnies'    ^__, 

The  Brownies'  Fourth  of  July 


The  Brownies  in  the  Toy-shop     . 


101 


,  108 


114 


.  120 


12G 


132 


138 


3? 


,  V  •     ■  ■> 


■ 


WWrrf"?WWi«»y'ri»wwi)Bar.twBrtw 


V!;>^' 


THE  BROWNIES  AT  SCHOOL. 


Is  Brownies  rambled  'roiind  one  night, 
A  country  sclioolliouse  came  in  sight; 
And  there  they  paused  awhile  to  speak 
About  the  place,  where  through  the  week 
The  scholars  came,  with  smile  or  whine, 
Each  morning  at  the  stroke  of  nine. 
"Tliis  is,"  said  one,  "the  j)lace,  indeed. 
Where  childi'en  come  to  "WTite  and  read. 
'T  is  here,  through  rides  ^^4  rods  to  suit. 
The  young  idea  learns  to  shoot; 
And  here  the  idler  with  a  grin 
In  nearest  neighbor  pokes  the  pin, 

Or  sighs  to  break  his  scril)bled  slate 
And  spring  at  once  to  man's  estate. 
How  oft  from  shades  of  yonder  gi-ove 
I  've  viewed  at  eve  the  shouting  drove 
As  from  the  door  they  crowding  broke, 
liik.}  oxen  fi'oni  beneath  the  yokt\" 


Another  said :  "  The  teacher's  chair, 
The  ruler,  pen,  and  birch  are  there; 
The  hlackboard  hangs  against  the  wall; 
The  slate  's  at  hand,  the  books  and  all. 
We  might  go  in  to  read  and  write 
And  master  sums  like  scholars  bright." 


f( 


"I  '11  play,"  cried  one,  "the  teacher's  part; 
I  know  some  lessons  quite  by  heart, 
And  every  section  of  the  land 
To  me  is  plain  as  open  hand." 
''  With  all  respect,  my  friend,  to  yoii," 
Another  said,  "  that  would  not  d ). 
You  're  hardly  fitted,  sir,  to  rule ; 
Your  place  should  be  the  dimce's  stool. 
You  're  not  with  great  endowments 

hlessed ;  ' . 

-Besides,  yoiir  temper  's  not  the  best, 
And  those  who  train  the  budding  mind 
Should  own  a  disposition  kind. 
The  rod  looks  better  (m  the  tree 
Than  resting  by  the  master's  knee ; 
/'//  be  the  teacher,  if  you  please; 
I  know  the  i-ivers,  lakes,  and  seas. 

And,  like  si  banker's  clerk,  can  throw 
The  figures  nimbly  in  a  row. 
I  have  the  patience,  love,  and  grace, 
So  recpiisite  in  such  a  case." 

Now  some  bent  o'er  a  slate  or  book. 
And  some  at  blackboards  station  took. 
They  clustered  'round  the  glo1)e  with  zeal, 
And  kept  it  turning  like  a  wheel. 

3 


Said  one,  "  I  've  often 

The  world  is  rounder 

And  liero,  indeed,  we 

Witli  l)oth  the  poles 

With     latitudes    and 

All  nieasnrod  ont  on 

Another      said,     "I      thonght 

The   world    from   Maine   to 
Or    c'onld,    Avithont    a    K^iide, 
My  way  from  Cork  to  Puget 
But  here    so    many   things 
That  never  daMTied  upon  my 
On   sundry  points,  I   hlush 
I  '^  e  l)een  a  thousand  miles 
"'T    is    like   an    egg,"    another 
"A   little   longer   than   it  's    wide. 
With  islands  scattered  through  the  seas 
Where  savages  may  live  at  ease ; 


heard  it  said, 
than  your  head, 
find  it  tme. 
at  once  in  view, 
each  degree 
land  and  sea." 
I  knew 

Thnhuctoo, 
have  foimd 
Sound ; 
I  find 
mind, 
to  say, 
astray." 


And  buried  up  in  Polar  snows 

You  find  the  hardy  Eskhnos ; 

While  here  and  there  some  scorching  spots 

Are  set  apart  for  Hottentots. 

And  see  the  rivers  small  and  great, 

That  drain  a  province  or  a  state ; 

The  name  and  shape  of  every  nation ; 

Their  faith,  extent,  and  population ; 

And  whether  governed  by  a  King, 

A  President,  or  council  ring." 


ucl 


While  some  with  such  exjn'essions  bold 
Surveyed  the  globe  as  'round  it  rolled, 
Still  others  turned  to  ink  and  pen. 
And,  sjireading  like  a  brooding  hen, 
They  scrawled  a  page  to  show  the  ba..  .1 
Their  special  "  style,"  or  "  business  hand." 


The  teacher  had  enough  to  do, 
To  act  his  part  to  nature  tnie : 
He  lectured  well  the  infant  squad, 
He  rapped  the  desk  and  shook  the  rod, 
_^  And  stood  the  dunce  upon  the  stool, 

,5^ --^[^^^^--s  A  laughing-stock  to  all  the  school — 

But  frequent  changes  please  the  crowd,         \ 

So  lengthy  reign  was  not  allowed;  ia 

And  when  one  master  had  his  hour, 

Another  took  the  rod  of  power; 

And  thus  they  changed  to  suit  the  case. 

Till  many  filled  the  honored  i)lace. 

So  taken  up  was  every  mind 
With  fun  and  study  weU.  combined. 


They  noticod  not  the  hours  depart, 

Until  the  .siiu  coinnicnced  to  dart 

A  slieaf  of  lances,  long  and  ])riglit. 

Above  tlie  distant  luonntain  height ; 

Then  from  the  schoolroom,  in  a  hea]), 

They  jnmped  and  tmnhled,  twenty  dee]). 

In  eager  haste  to  disappear 

In  deepest  shades  of  forests  near. 
a 


1 


Wlien  next  the  children  sa^thorod  tlicre, 

With  wonderinj^  faco;s  fresh  und  fair, 

It  took  an  honv  of  morning  prime, 

According  to  the  teacli..'r's  time, 

To  get  the  hooks  in  place  once  more. 

And  order  to  the  room  restore. 

So  gi'eat  had  heen  tlu^  haste  to  hide, 

The  mndows  were  left  open  wide ; 

And  scholars  knew,  without  a  doul)t, 

That  Brownies  had  heen  thereahout. 


1 


THE   BROWNTES'   RIDE. 


|NE  niglit  a  cunning  Brownie  band 

Was  roaming  tlirough  a  farmer's  land, 
And  while  the  rogues  went  prying  'round, 
Tlie  farmer's  mare  at  rest  they  found; 
And  peeping  throng]  i  the  stable-door, 
They  saw  the  harness  that  she  wore. 
Tlie  siglit  Avas  tempting  to  the  eye, 
For  there  the  cart  was  standing  nigh. 

"That  mare,"  said  one,  "deserves  her  feed  — 
Believe  me,  she's  no  c(mmion  breed; 
Her  grit  is  good :  I  've  seen  lier  dash 
Up  yonder  slope  witliont  the  lash. 

Until  lier  load  —  a  ton  of  hay  — 
Went  boimcing  in  beside  the  bay. 

In  this  same  cart,  old  Fanner  Gill 
Takes  all  his  coni  and  wheat  to  mill; 
It  must  be  strong,  though  rude  and  rough ; 
It  runs  on  wheels,  and  that 's  enough." 

Now,  Brownies  seldom  idle  stand 
When  there  's  a  chance  for  fun  at  hand. 

8 


So  plans  wore  laid  withoiit  delay ; 

The  mare  was  dragged  from  oats  and  liay, 

The  harness  from  the   })eg  they  (bew, 

And  every  one  to  action  flew. 

It  was  a  sight  one  should  hehold 

To  see  them  working,  yonng  and  old; 

Two  wiinkled  elves,  like  leather  hrowned, 
Wliose  beards  descended  near  the  ground, 
Along  with  youngsters  did  tlieir  hest 
With  all  the  ardor  of  the  rest. 


Wliile  some  prt'parod  ji  rein  or  traco, 
Another  slid  the  hit  in  pkcc ; 
More  hiicklod  hands  witli  all  their  niif,'ht, 
Or  drew  the  lianaess  close  and  tight. 


Wh(>n  every  strap  a  Imckie  found, 
And  every  part  was  safe  and  sound, 
Then  'roiind  the  cart  the  Brownies  flew,- 
The  hardest  task  was  yet  to  do. 
It  often  i)uzzles  hearded  men, 
Though  o'er  and  o'er  perfonned  again. 

JO 


Some  hold  tlio  slinfts  to  stcor  tliojn  straight, 

More  did  tlu'iv  best  to  l)al{iu('('  AV('i<;lit, 

"VVhilo  others  showed  both  streugtli  and  art 

In  l)ackiiij;'  ^Maj,'  into  the  cart. 

At  h'nj^th  the  lieavy  job  was  done, 

Aud  horse  and  cart  moved  olf  as  one. 


Now  (h)wn  the  road  the  jjentle  steed 
AVas  forced  to  tn^t  at  "greatest  speed. 

A  nieirier  crowd  than  journeyed  tliere 

Was  never    seen  at  Dubhn   Fair. 

Some  found  a  seat,  while  othei-s  stood, 

Or  hung  b(diind  as  best  they  could; 

While  many,  stnxng  along,  astride, 

Upon  the  mare  enjoyed  the  i-ide. 
\ 


M^:^"^-'" 


mfW' 


£2 


The  night  was  dai-k,  the  lucky  elves 
Had  all  the  tui'npike  to  themselves. 
No  surly  keeper  l)ai'red  tlu^  way. 
For  use  of  roa<l  demanding  pay. 
Nor  were  they  startled  by  Ww  cry 
Of  roblu'rs  sliouting,  "Stand  or  die!" 
Across  the  bridge  .lud  up  the  hill 
And  througii  tlx    woods  to  Warren's  mill, — 
A  lengthy  ride,   Ten  miles  at  least, — 
Without  a  re?  f  they  drove  the  ])east, 
And  tlum  w 're  loath  enough  to  rein 
Old  Mag  around  for  home  again. 


11 


^1^>A 


Nor  was  the  speed,  vetiirniiij;,  slow; 

The  mure  was  more  inclined  to  go, 

Because  the  feed  of  oats  and  hay 

Unfinished  in  her  mangi'r  lay. 

So  through  the  yai'd  she  wheeled  her  load 

As  hriskly  as  she  Look  the  road. 

No  time  remained  to  then  undo 

The  many  straps  wliich  tight  they  drew, 

For  in  the  east  the  reddening  sky 

Gave  warning  that  the  sun  was  nigh. 


Tho  halter  vojxMvas 
About  tilt'  iicaivMt 
Then  oif  tlu'V  Hcani- 
Ami  (lisappcaivd  at 


quickly  woiiud 
l)(»st  tlifV  found ; 
pcrcd,  left  and  ri^'lit, 
oiicf  from  siyht. 


Wlu'u  Farnu'T  dill  that  niorninj;:  fair 
Came  out  and  viewed  his  jaded  maro, 
1  may  not  hero  in  verso  repeat 
His  exclamations  all  complete. 
He  jjnaslied  his  teeth,  and  glared  around, 
And  struck  his  fists,  and  stamped  the  ground, 
And  chased  the;  dog  across  the  fann, 
Because  it  failed  to  give  alarm. 
"I  'd  give  a  stack  of  hay,"  he  ciied, 
"  To  catch  the  rogue  who  stole  the  ride ! " 
But  still  awry  suspi(;ion  tlew, — 
Wlio  stole  the  ride  he  never  knew. 


A' 


THE   BTU)WNTP^S    OX    SKA^rP]S. 

NE  night,  when  the  cold  moon  liung  low 
And  winter  wrapped  the  world  in  snow 
And  bridged  the  .streams  in  wood  and  field 

With  iee  as  smooth  as  shining  shield, 

Some   skaters    swejjt        


in  graeefiil  style 
The  glistening   sm-face, 

file  on  file. 
For  hoiu-s  the  Brownies 


Olio  :  "  Tliat  i)l('asiiro  iiiiglit  })v  ours  — 
Wo  hay(^  th(^  foot  und  motive  powers ; 
No  mortal  nood  us  Bro^\^lios  toacli, 
If  skates  wore  but  Avitlihi  our  roach." 
Another  answered:  "Then,  m;v  friend, 
,  To  hear  my  jilan  let  all  attend. 
I  have  a  building  in  my  mind 
That  we  Anthin  an  hour  ean  find. 
Tliro(i  golden  balls  hang  by  the  door, 
Like  oranges  from  Cuba's  shore ; 
Behind  the  dusty  counter  stands 
A  native  of  queer,  far-off  lands  ; 
The  place  is  fillc>d  with  A'arious  things, 
Fi'om  baby-carts  to  l)an jo-strings; 

Hero  hangs  a  gun  \\-ithout  a  lock 
Homo  Pilgiim  bore  to  Plymouth  rock ; 
And  there?  a  pair  of  goggles  lie, 
That  saw  the  red-coats  inareliing  by; 
While  piles  of  clul)  and  ro(^ker  skates 
Of  every  shape  the  l)uy(>r  waits ! 
Though  second-hand,  1  'm  sure  they  '11  do, 
And  ser\^e  our  wants  as  well  as  new. 
Tliat  place  we  '11  outer  as  we  ma}'. 
To-morrow  night,  and  boar  away 
A  pair,  the  l)est  tliat  come  to  hand, 
Fov  ovi'ry  memljor  of  the  band." 
At.  once,  the  enterprise  so  bold 

Received  support  from  young  and  old. 
A  place  to  muster  near  the  town, 
And  moothig  hour  they  noted  dowai; 
And  thou  retiring  for  the  night. 

They  soon  were  lost  to  sound  and  sight. 

I.") 


When  ovcnin^  next  hor  \'isit  paid 
To  fold  the  earth  in  r(.)l)os  of  shade, 


Tlio  skates  that  would  tlieir  fiiu  insure. 

As  mice  can  j^et  to  cake  and  cheese 

Without  a  key  whene'er  they  please, 

80,  cunnin^jj  Brownies  can  i)roceed 

And  help  themselves  to  what  they  need. 
10 


,  -grflfc''- 


For  holts  and  l)ai's  tlit\v  little  care 
If  but  a  nail  is  wautiiiji?  tlicrc! 
Or,  Tailiii'''  this,  with  case  (lescend 
Like  Santa  Clans  and  f«;ain  their  end. 
As  children  to  the  windows  tiy 
At  news  of  Jumbo  passing  l)y, 
Ho  rush(>(l  the  eager  bund  away 
To  tields  of  i(,'e  without  delay. 

17 


Though  far  too  largo  at  lieel  and  too, 

The  skates  wore  soiuoliow  made  to  go. 

But  out  ]>ehin(l  and  out  Ix't'oi-o, 

Like  spurs,  they  stuck  a  span  oi-  more, 

Ahke  afflicting  foe  and  friend 

In  l)ringing  journeys  to  an  end. 
They  had  their  slips  and  sudden  spreads. 
Where  heels  flow  higher  than  their  heads, 
As  people  do,  however  nice, 
When  venturing  first  upon  the  ice. 
But  soon  they  learned  to  ciu've  and  wlieel 
And  cut  fine  scrolls  with  scoring  steel, 
To  race  in  clusters  to  and  fro. 
To  jump  and  turn  and  backward  go, 
Until  a  rest  on  bod  so  cool, 
Was  more  the  wonder  than  the  rule. 


But  from  the  lake  they  all  withdrew 
Some  hours  before  tlu;  night  was  through, 
And  hastened  back  with  lively  feet 
Through  narrow  lane  and  silent  street, 
Until  they  reached  the  broker's  door 
With  every  skate  tliat  left  the  store. 


And,  ere  the  first 
The  skates  were 
Of  their  brief  ab- 
Was  left  within  the 


faint  gleam  of  day, 
saf(dy  stowed  away ; 
sence  not  a  trace 
dusty  place. 


18 


\ 


TPIE    BROWNIES    ON    llICrrc^l^ES. 


NE  eveniiifij  Browiiios,  i)0(>i>in}ij  down 

From  l)lufl:.s  that  ovei-looked  t\w  town, 
Saw  wlieehnon  passinj;  to  and  fro 
Upon  the  boulevard  helow. 
"  It  seems,"  said  one, 
"  an  rasy  trick, 
The   wheel    goes  'round    so 

smooth  and  quick; 
You    simply    sit    and    work 

your  feet 
And  glide  with  gi'ace  along 
the  street. 


10 


Tiie  pleasure  would  be  fine  indeed 
If  irr  could  thus  in  line  proceed." 

"  Last  night,"  another  answer  made, 
"As  by  the  river's  bank  I  strayed, 
Where  here  and  tliere  a  building  stands, 
And  town  and  country-side  join  hands, 
Before  nie  stood  a  massive  Avail 
With  engine-ro(jnis  and  chimneys  tall. 

"  To  scale  the  place  a  way  I  found, 
And,  creeping  in,  looked  all  around; 


There  l)icycles  of  every  gi-ade 
Ai'e  manufacliired  for  the  trade ; 
Some  made  for  bal)y  hands  to  guide, 
And  some  for  older  folk  to  ride. 


20 


"Tlum^h  built  to  keep  intruder's  out, 
With  sluittors  tlii<'k  iuul  cusinj^fs  stv/ut, 
I  uoticcMl  twenty  ways  or  more, 
By  roof,  by  Avindow,  wall  and  door, 
Whore  we,  by  excrcisi  ii;  skill, 
!May  travel  in  and  out  at  will." 

Another  spoke,  in  nowise  slow 
To  catch  at  pleasuri^s  as  they  jjjo, 

Aiul    said,    "  AYhy    let    another    day 
Come  creeping   in   to    drat;'   away  ? 

Let  's  active  measures  now  employ 
To  seize  at  once  the  promised  joy. 
On     bicycles  (|uick  let  us  ride, 
AVldle  yet  our  wants  may  be  supplied." 

So  when  <^he  town  grew  hushed  and  still, 
The  Brownies  ventured  down  the  bill. 
And    soon   the    band    was 

drawing       niy;h 
The  binlding  with 
the  chim- 


neys 


high. 


When  peo}de 
lock     their    doors 
at  night. 
And  dt)uble-bolt  them  left  and  right. 
And  think  tbi-ougb  ])atents,  new  and  old. 
To  leave  the  burglars  in  the  cold. 


21 


^f 


.<_ 


1 


\ 


The  cunninj:?  Brownies  smile  to  see 
Tho  springing  bolt  and  tui-ning  key; 
For  well  they  know  if  fancy  leads 


Theii-  l)an(l  to  venture  daring 
deeds, 

The  miser's  gold,  tlie  mer- 
chant's ware 

To  them  is  open  as  the  air. 


i^iA^'A^^M, 


Not  long  could  door  or  windows  stand 
Fast  locked  hefon;  the  Brownie  band; 
And  soon  the  bicycles  they  sought 
From  every  room  and  bench  were  brought. 

22 


f  -•« 


■   I 


v-1 


The  I'Ogiies  ero  lou^  began  to  sliow 
As  many  colors  as  tlu^  l»o\v; 
For  paint  and  varnish  lately  spread 
Besmeared  tlicin  all  from  foot  to  lieud. 
Some  turned  to  jay-ljirds  in  a  nuniite, 
And  some  as  qniek  might  sliame  the  linnet ; 
While  more  with  crimson-tinted  Ijreast 
Seemed  fitted  for  the  robin's  nest. 


.■  I 


;  I 


But  whether  red  or  green  or  bhie, 

The  work  on  hand  was  hurried  through ; 

They  took  the  wheels  from  Idacksmith  fires, 

Though  wanting  bolts  and  even  tires, 

And  rigged  tlu!  parts  with  skill  and  speed 

To  answer  well  their  pressing  need. 

And  soon,  enough  were  made  complete 

To  give  the  greater  part  a  seat. 

And  let  the  rest  througli  cunning  find 

Some  way  of  hanging  on  l)eliin(l. 

And  then  no  spurt  along  the  road, 

Or  'round  the  yard  their  corn-age  showed, 

But  twenty  times  a  measured  mile 

They  whirled  away  in  single  file, 

Or  bunched  together  in  a  crowd 

If  width  of  road  or  skill  allowed. 

At  times,  while  rolhng  down  the  grade, 

Collisions  some  confusion  made, 

For  every  member  of  the  band. 

At  steering  wished  to  try  his  hand; 

Though  some,  perhaps,  were  not  designed 

For  labor  of  that  special  kind. 


23 


^ 


But    Hi'owiiirs  arc  tlic  I'ctlk  to  Ix'jir 

Misfortunes  with  unrufHcd  air; 

Soon  tlii'ouuli  rou^li  and  sniootli  thoy  spun 

Until  the  turnin,u;-i)oint  was  won. 

Tlirn  back   tlu'V  wlit'clcd  with  cvci'V  spoke, 

An  liour   h<'t'ore  the  tlirush  awoke. 


THE    BKOW'NIKS    AT    LA  WX-^^ENXTS. 


/.  r^'^'^'t"''-^''^' 


NE  cvi'iiiug  as  the  woods  gi-evv  dark, 
The  Brownies  wandered  through  a  park, 

And  soon  a  buikling,  quaint  and  small, 

Api)eared  to  draw  the  gaze  of  all. 

Said  one  :  "  This  i)laee  contains,  no  doubt, 

The  tocjls  ot  workmen  hereabout." 

Anothei'  said  :  "  You  're  (luite  astray, 

The  workmen's  tools  are  miles  away ; 

Within  this  building  may  be  found 

The  fixtures  for  the  tennis  ground. 

A  meadow  near,  l)oth  long  and  wide. 

For  half  the  year  is  set  aside, 

And  marked  with  numy  a  scpiare  and  court. 

For  those  who  love  tlu;  royal  sport. 

On  afternoons  assembled  there, 

The  active  men  and  maidens  fair 

Keep  up  the  game  luitil  the  day 

Has  fa(l(!d  into  evening  gray." 
"In  other  lands  than  those  we  tread, 

I  played  the  game,"  anotlier  said, 
"And  proved  my  skill  and  muscle  stout, 

As  '  server '  and  as  '  striker-out.' 

23 


TIk'  lock  llmt   liim;;s  Itd'ort'   iis  llio'c 


Ero  l(>ii<?,  Uw  ])atli  that  lay  between 
Tlie  Imildiiiii;  nnd  tlie  inoadow  green, 
Was  crowded  with  the  hnsthnt,'  tlironj;, 
All  hearing  ini])lenients  alonj? ; 
Some  lug,i,nn,i;  stakes  or  racket  sets, 
And  others  Imried  np  in  nets. 
To  set  the  posts  and  mark  the  gronnd 
The  proper  size  and  shape  aroinid, 

27 


Witli  Hcrvice-lino  and  line  of  l)ase, 
And  courts,  l)ot]i  left  and  riglit,  in  place, 
Was  work  that  caused  bnt  slight  delay; 
And  soon  the  sport  was  nnder  way. 
And  then  a  strange  and  stin-ing  scene 
Was  pictured  out  upon  the  gi'een. 


Some  watched  the  game  and  noted  well 
Where  this  or  that  one  would  excel.         ^^ 


And  shouts  aiid  calls  that  fdled  the  air 
Proved  oven-handed  playing  there. 
With  anxious  looks  some  kept  the  score, 
And  shouted  '"vantage  !  "  "  game  all !  "  or 
To  some,  "  love,  forty !  " — "  deuce ! "  to  more. 
But  when  "  deuce  set ! "  the  scorer  cried. 
Applause  would  ring  on  every  side. 
At  times  so  hot  the  contest  gi'ew. 
Established  laws  aside  they  threw. 
And  in  the  game  where  fom*  should  stand, 
At  least  a  dozen  took  a  hand. 
Some  tangled  in  the  netting  lay 
And  solium  from  l)ase-lines  straj^ed  away. 
Some  hit  the  hall  when  out  of  place 
Or  scrambled  through  unlav.'fid  space. 
But  still  no  game  was  forced  to  halt 
Because  of  this  or  greater  fault. 

28 


And  there  they  sported  on  the  lawn 
Until  the  rnddy  streaks  of  dawn 
Gave  w^arning  that  the  day  was  near, 
And  Brownies  all  must  disapjjear. 


99 


Tin^:  BKowxiES'  aooD  work. 


One  time,  while  Brownies  passed  around 
An  lionest  fanner's  piece  of  gi'ound, 
They  paused  to  view  the  garden  fair 
And  fiehls  of  gi'ain  that  needed  care, 
"^[y  friends,"  said  one  who  often  spoke 
Al)out  the  ways  of  hunaan  folk,  • 

"  Now  here  V  a  case  in  point,  I  claim,  '- 
Where  neighhors  scarce  deserve  the  name: 
Tliis  farmer  on  his  hack  is  laid 
With  broken  ril)s  and  shoidder-hlade, 
Received,  I  hear,  some  weeks  ago; 
Wliile  at  the  village  here  helow, 

He    checked    a 


ninning  team, 
to  save 
Some     children 
from  an  early 


grave. 
Now      ov 


empe 

his       harvest 

stands 
In    waiting   for 

the      reaper's 

hands ; 
The     piece     of 


w 


heat 


we 


lately  i)assed 
Is    shelling    out 
at  every  l)last; 


.«■' 


'-is^ 


Unless  you  coina 
We  '11  not  be  worth 
The  corn  is  hreakini? 
The  hens  around  the 
And  with  their  ever 
May  pick  tlie  ker- 
His  neighbors  are  a 


Those  pumpkins  in  that  conier  plot 

Begin  to  show  the  signs  of  rot ; 

The  mold  has  fastened  on  their  skin, 

The  rii)est  ones  are  caving  in, 

And  soon  the  pig  in  yonder  sty 

With  scornful  grunt  would  pass 
them  by. 

His  Early  Rose  potatoes  there 

Are  much  in  need  of  light  and  air; 

The  turnip  withers  where  it  lies, 

The  beet  and  carrot  want  to  rise. 
'  Oh,  pull  us  up ! '  they  seem  to  cry 

To  every  one  that  passes  by; 
'  The  frost  will  finish  our  repose, 

The  gi'ubs  are  working  at  our  toes ; 

and  save  us  soon. 


-45  •  ^  -:r^ 


Who 


've 


such 


a  picayune ! ' 

from  the  stalk, 

hill  can  walk, 

ready  bill 

nels  at  their  vnll. 

sordid  crowd, 

shameful  waste   allowed; 


So  wrapped  in  self  some  men  can  l>e. 
Beyond  theu'  purse  they  seldom  s(M'  ; 
'T  is  left  for  us  to  play  the  friend 
And  here  a  helping  hand  extend. 
But  as  the  wak(4'ul  chanticleer 
Is  crowing  in  the  stable  near. 
Too  little  of  the  present  night 
Is  loft  to  set  the  matter  right. 


91 


U 


m 


"To-morrow  eve,  at  that  dark  hour 
When  ))irds  gi'ow  still  m  leafy  bower 
And  bats  forsake  the  ruined  pile 
To  exercise  theii   wings  awhile, 
lii  yonder  sliady  gi'ove  we  'U  meet, 
With  all  o'lJ       ■'  ve  force  complete, 
Prepared  to  t,        tliis  farmer  aid 
With  basket,  ban-el,  hook,  and  spade. 


aa 


Btit,  ere  we  part,  one  eantion  more  : 
Let  some  invade  a  drug-gist's  store, 
And  bring  along  a  coated  pill ; 


We  '11  dose  the  dog  to  keep  liiiii  still. 
For  barking  dogs,  however  kind, 
Can  oft  disturl)  a  Brownie's  mind." 
— ^When  next  the  bat  of  evening  flew, 
And  drowsy  things  of  day  A^dthdrew, 
When  beetles  droned  across  the  lea, 
And  turkeys  sought  the  safest  tree 
To  form  aloft  a  social  row 
And  criticise  the  fox  l)elow, — 
Then  cunning  Brownies  might  be   seen 
Advancing  from  the  forest  green  ; 
Now  jumping  fences,  as  they  ran. 
Now  crawling  throiigh  (a  safer  plan) ; 
Now  keeping  to  the  roads  awhile, 
Now  "  cutting  corners,"  country  styl(> ; 
Some  l)earing  hoes,  and  baskets  more, 
Some  pushing  barrows  on  before, 
While  others,  SAvinging  sickles  bright, 
Seemed  eager  for  the  gi-ain  in  sight. 
But  in  advance  of  all  the  throng 
Tlm^e  daring  Brownies  moved  along. 
Whose  duty  was  to  venture  closer 
And  give  the  barking  dog  his  dose. 


Now  soon   the  work  was  under  way, 
Each  chose  the  part  ho  was  to  play ; 
Wliilo  some  wlio  handled  hoes  the  host 
Brouglit   "Early  Roses"  from  then'  nest, 
To  tnrnip-to])s  some  laid  their  hands. 
More  plied  the  hook,  or  twisted  hands. 
.Vnd  soon  the  sheaves  lay  piled  around, 
Like  heroes  on  disputed  gi'ound. 
Now  let  the  eye  turn  where  it  might, 
,.   A  pleasing  prospect  was  in  sight ; 
For  garden  groimd  or  larger  field 
Alike  a  husy  crowd  revealed  : 
Home  ])ulling  carrots  from  their  l)ed. 
Some  1  tearing  Imrdeus  on  their  head, 
Or  working  at  a  fever   heat 
While   prying  out  a  monsior  heet. 
Now  here  two  heavy  loads  have  met, 
And  there  a  harrow  lias  ui)set, 

While  workers  every  effort  strain 
The  rolling  pumpkins  to  regain  ; 

And  long  hefore  the  stars  with- 
drew. 
The    crop  was    safe,   the  work 

was  through. 
In  shocks  the  corn,  secure  and 

good. 
Now  like  a  Sioux  encampment 

stood ; 
The    Avheat  was  safely    stowed 

away ; 
In     Inns    the    "Early     Roses" 

Hi 


A\'liile  ciuTots,  tur- 
nips, bei'ts,   and  all 

Keceived  attt'ution, 
yivat  and  small. 

When  morning  dawn- 
ed, no  sight  or  soi;nd 

Of  friendly  Brownies 
could  ha  found ; 

And  wlien  at  last  old 
Towser  broke 

The  spell,  and  fi-oni 
his  slumber  woke, 

He  nished  around,  be- 
lieving still 

Some  mischief  lay  be- 
hind the  i)ill. 

But  though  the  fields 
looked  bare  and 
strange. 

His  mind  could  hardly 
grasp  the  change. 

And  when  the  fanner 
learned  at  morn 


That  safe  from  harm  were  wheat  and  corn, 
That  all  his  barley,   oats,  and  lye 
Were  in  the  Ijarn,   secure  and  dry, 
Tliat  carrots,  l)eets,  and  tiu-nips  i-ound 
Were  safely  takeii  from  the  groimd, 
The  honest  farmer  thought,  of  com'se. 
His  neighbors  had   turned  out  in  force 
While  helpless  on  the  bed  he  lay,       /«^ 
And   kindly  stowed  his  crop   away.       1^^^^!*©  n  ~"-t-^« 


Uu 


But  Avlicn  lu'  tluinkiHl  them  for  tlieir  aid, 
And  lioped  tluy  yet  mij,dit  l»c  repaid 
For  acting'  such  a  friendly  juirt, 
Ois  wxtrds   ap])ear('d   to  i)ier('e  each  lieaii ; 
For  well  they  knew  that  other  hands 
Than  theirs  had  laid  his  gi'ain  in  hands, 
That  other  hacks  had  hent  in  toil 
To  save  the  i)rodncts  of  the  soil. 
And  then  they  felt  as  such  folk  will 
Who  fail  to  iiohly  act,  until 
More  earnest  helpers,   stepping  in, 
Do  v\\  the  jn'aise  and  honor  win. 


THE    BiiOWXIES    AT    THE    ( J\^\[NA8rUM. 


1)oxing-gloves 


The 

Of  him  who  loves 
All  hrought  expres- 
As  one  hy  one  they 
The  time  was  short, 
That     named     the 


HE  Brownies  once,  wliile  roamini'-  'round. 
By  chance  appi-oached  a  college  ground ; 
And,  as  they  skirmished  every  side, 
A  large  gymnasium  they  espied. 
Their  eyes  grew  hright  as  they  surveyed 
Th(^  means  for  exercise  displayed. 
The  clul),  the  weight,  the  hanging  ]'ing, 
The  ho'izontal  har,  and  swing, 

that  please  the  heart 
the  manly  art, 


sions  of  delight, 
came  in  sight, 
and  words  were  few 
woj'k  for  each  to  do. 


ao 


Their  mysti(^  art,  as  may  1"'  foiuid 
Ou  pages  now  in  volumes  ])oun<l, 
Was  (init<^  enough  to  l)ear  them  in 
Tlu-ough  walls  of  wood  and  root's  of  tin. 

No  hasj)  ean  hold,  no  Ixjlt   can    

stand 
Before  the  Bro\vnie'.s  tiny  hand ;  ,  {i''^>t:j  if>-^S^t 

The  sash  will  rise,  the  panel  yield.  "5^^^?  iW^'.^^'^W^fM 
And  leave  him  muster  of  the         ^'S'£p!§^^Ml£, 

fi-u.-  iS^^ 

When    safe    they   stood       ^  ''p^^^S 
witlnn  the  hall,  ''4^/i^if^ 

A    pleasant    time    was      '^"•"^^'x  ^5<ki>j 


promised  all 


Said  Olio:  "Tho  clubs  let  me  obtain 

That  ludinns  use  upon  the  plain, 

And  here  I  '11  stand  to  test  my  i)ower, 

And  swini,'  them  'round  my  head  an  hour; 

Though  not  the  largest  iu  tli(;  band, 

I  ('laim  to  oAvni  no  infant  hand ; 

And  nmsc'le  in  this  arm  you  '11  uieet 

That  well  might  grace  a  trained  athlete. 

Two  goats  once  blocked  a  mountain  pass, 
Contending  o'er  a  tuft  of  grass. 
Important  messages  of  state 
Forbade  me  there  to  stand  and  wait ; 
Without  a  pause,  the  pair  I  neared 
And  seized  the  larger  l)y  the  beard; 
I  dragged  him  from  his  i)anting  foe 
And  hurled  him  to  the  plain  below." 


"For     clubs,"    a     second     an- 
swered there, 
"  Or  heavy  w(dglits  I  little  care ; 

Let  those  by  generous  nat- 
ure planned 

At    heavy   lifting    try    their 
hand ; 

But  give  me  l)ar  or  give  me 
i-iiig, 

Where  I   can   turn,  contoi"t, 
and  swing, 

And  1  '11  outdo,  with  move- 
ments line, 

The    monkey  on   his   tropic 
vine." 


88 


Tims  skill  and  strongtli  and  wind  they  tried 
By  means  tliey  found  on  evtsry  side. 

Some  claimed  at  once  the  high  trapeze, 

And  there  pei-formed  with  grace  and  ease; ; 

They  turned  and  tnnihlcMl  left  and  right, 

As  though  they  held  existence  light. 

At  times  a  finger-tip  was  all 

Between  them  and  a  fearful  fall. 

On  strength  of  toes  they  now  de])end, 

Or  now  on  coat-tails  of  a  friend — 

And  had  that  cloth  heen  less  than  best 

That  looms  could  furnish,  east  or  west, 

Some  memhers  of  the  Bro^vnie  race 

Might  now  be  missing  from  their  place. 

39 


S^zJ: 


lint  Iciir,  we  know,  S(!)ure  cv*'!-  Huds 
A  liuiiu!  witliiu  tlioir  iictivo  minds. 
And  littlii  dangor  they  conld  .soti 
In  wliaf  wcmld  trouble  you  or  m(\ 
Sonu!  stood  to  prove  tlu'ir  muscle  stron.i,', 
And  swmifjf  the  clubs  both  large  and  long 
Tliat  men  who  met  to  practice  there 
Had  often  found  no  light  affair. 


^L  -  ^i^M^n^  t  ^  q    3  ^  JL^ 


they    found    as 
they  ran, 
then  a  "tug-of-war" 
began ; 
First  over  l)enches,  stools, 
and  chairs, 
Then  up  and   down  th<!  wind- 
ing stairs. 
They  piilled  an<l  hauled  and  tugged 
around. 
Now  giving  up,  now  gaining  ground. 
Some  lost  their  footing  at  the  go. 
And  on  their  backs  sUd  to  and  fro 
Withoiit  a  chance  their  state  to  mend 
Until  the  contest  found  an  end. 


I 


Their  coats  fi'om  tail  to  collar  rent 
Showed  some  through  trying  treatment  went, 
And  more,  A^th  usage  much  the  same, 
All  twisted  out  of  shape,  and  lame, 
Had  scarce  a  button  to  their  name. 

4U 


The  jiidijc  scWtcd  for  the  case 
Ran  luTc  and  tlu'i'c  about  tlic  pltK'O 
With  waruiny'  cries  and  ^'I'stnre  wide, 
And  .seemed  unable  to  deeide. 


And  there  they  ndnht  l)e  tug- 

ging  still, 
With  e(iual  strength  and  equal 

will  — 
But  while  they  struggled,  stars 

withdrew 
And  hints  of  moiiiing  broader 

grt'w, 
Till  arrows  from  the  rising  sun 
Soon  made  them  drop  the  rope 

and  run. 


'"'■VR'TP"' 

.,     ;     1;.    1 


"jf'iiiWiA 


^^^^-■«fr-''i-j».J" 


THE    RBOWNTES'    FEAST. 


'N  best  of  spirits,  blithe  and  free, — 
As  Brownies  always  seem  to  l>e, — 
A  jo^'ial  band,  Avitli  hop  and  leap, 
Were  passing  through  a  forest  deep, 
When  in  an  open  space  they  spied 
A  heavy  caldron,  large  and  Avide, 
Where  woodmen,  working  at  their  trade, 
A  rustic  ])oiling-place  had  made. 
"My  friends,"  said  one,  "a  chance  likci  this 
No  cunning  Brownie  l)and  should  miss; 
All  unobserved,  we  may  prepare; 
And  boil  a  pudding  nicely  there ; 

Some  dying  embers  smolder  still 
Which  we  may  soon  re\dve  at  A\ill; 
And  by  the  roots  of  yonder  tree 
A  brook  goes  l)abbUng  to  the  sea. 
At  Parker's  mill,  some  miles  below, 
They  're  grinding  Hoiu-  as  white  as  snow ; 
An  easy  task  for  us  to  bear 
Enough  to  serve  our  need  from  there ; 

42 


I  noticed,  as  I  passed  to-night, 
A  window  with  a  Iw-okon  Hght, 
And  through  the  opening  we  '11  pour 
Though  holts  and  bars  be  on  the  door." 
"  And  I,"  another  Browmc  cried, 
"Will  lind  the  plums  and  currants  (hied; 
I  'II  have  some  here  in  half  an  hour 
To  sprinkle  thickly  through  the  Hour; 
So  stir  yourselves,  and  bear  in  mind 
That  some  must  spice  and  sugar  find." 
"I  know,"  cried  one,"  where  hens  have  made 
Their  nest  beneath  tlie  burdock  shade  — 
I  saw  them  stealing  out  with  care 
To  lay  their  eggs  in  secret  there. 

The  fanner's  wdfe,  through  sun  and  rain. 
Has  sought  to  find  that  nes:  in  vain : 
They  cackle  ])y  the  wall  of  stones. 

The  hollow  stump  and  pile  of  bones, 
And  l)y  the  ditch  that  lies  b«dow, 
Wliere  yellow  weeds  and  nettles  grow ; 
And  di'aw  Iut  after  evcH'x-Avhere 
Until  she  (|uits  tliem  in  despair. 
The  task  bt'  mine  to  thither  lead 
A  band  •  f  comrades  now  with  speed, 
To  lie)]'  me  bear  a  tendei"  load 
Along  tht?  rough  and  rugged  road." 
Away,  away,  on  (>very  side, 
At  ow'o  the  lively  Brownies  glid(> ; 
Houn\  after  plums,  more  'round  iho  bill — 
The  shortest  way  to  reach  the  mill  — 
While  some  on  winirs  and  some  on  legs 
(Jto  darting  off  to  find  the  eggs. 

43 


agm 


A  few  remained  iipon  tlie  spot 

To  l)Tiild  a  fire  ])eneath  the  pot ; 

Sonic  gathered  l)ark  from  trunks  of  trees, 

Whik  others,  on  theh'  hands  and  knees, 

Around  the  emljers  pulfed  and  blew 

Until  the  sparks  to  ])lazes  gi-ew ; 

And  scareely  was  the  kindhng  hiu'ned 

Before  t\m  absent  ones  returned. 

All  loaded  do^vii  they  came,  in  groups, 

In  occupies,  singly,  and  in  troops. 


Upon  their  shmilflers,  Tieacls,  and  l)aoks 
Thoy  l)ore  along  the  floury  sacks ; 
Witli  plnnis  and  euiTants  others  (;anie, 
Each  })ag  and  l)asket  filled  the  same ; 

While    those    avIio    gave 
the  hens  a  call 

Had      taken     nest-egg, 
nest,  and  all; 

And    more,    a    pressing 
want  to  meet. 
From  some  one's  Mne  had  hauled  a  sheet. 
The  monstrous  pudding  to  infold 
\Vliile  in  the  hoiling  pot  it  rolled. 
The  rogues  were  flt»ur  from  head  to  feet 
Before  the  mixture  was  comi)lfte. 
Like  snow-h'    's  in  a  tUift  of  snow 
They  worked  imd  clhowed  in  the  dough, 
TiU  every  particle  they  brought 
Was  in  the  mass  heforo  them  wTou^rht. 
And  soon  the  sheet  around  the  i)ile 
Was  ^^^'apped  in  most  artistic  style. 
Then  every  plan  and  scheme  was  tried 
To  hoist  it  o'er  the  caldron's  sid-  . 
At  times,  it  seemed  about  to  fall. 


And  overwhelm  or  Inuy  all; 
Yet  none  forsook  their  post  through  fear, 
But  harder  worked  Avith  danger  near. 
They  pulled  and  hauled  and  orders  gave, 
Aiid  pushed  and  pried  with 

stick  and  stave,  ,^^r.,'''   O  - 


Until,  in  spite  of  height  and  heat, 
They  had  performed  the  tiying  feat 

To  take  the  pudding  fi-om  the  i)ot 

They  niiglit  have  found  as  liard  and  hot. 

But  water  on  tlie  iivo  tliey  threw, 

And  then  to  work  again  tliey  tiew. 

And  soon  the  steaming  treasure  sat 

Upon  a  stone  both  broad  and  flat, 

Wliieh  answei'ed  for  a  tabk^  gi'aud, 

When  nothing  better  was  at  hand. 

46 


a 


-& 


^. 


;S.f-^*^- 


Some  think  that  Brownies  never  eat, 
But  live  on  odors  soft  and  sweet, 
That  thi'ougli  the  verdant  woods  proceed 
Or  steal  across  the  dewy  mead; 
But  those  who  could  have  gained  a  sight 
Of  them,  around  their  pudding  white, 
Would  have  perceived  that  elves  of  air 
Can  rehsh  more  substantial  fare. 

They  clustered  close,  and  delved  and  ate 
Without  a  knife,  a  spoon,  or  plate  ; 
Some  picking  out  the  plums  with  care, 
And  leaving  all  the  pastry  there. 
While  some  let  plums  and  currants  go. 
But  paid  attention  to  the  dough. 
The  purpose  of  each  Brownie's  mind 
Was  not  to  leave  a  crumb  behind, 
That,  when  the  morning  sun  should  shine 
Through  leafy  tree  and  clinging  vine. 
No  traces  of  their  sumptuous  feast 
It      might      reveal      to  man  or  beast ; 

And  well  they  gauged    /"^^^jC^^     what  all  could  bear. 
When     they    their      /      ^S^    \      pudding  did  prepare; 
For  when  the  rich      (         ^^f        )      repast  was  done, 
The    rogues    could      \,^^^jS>^..J      neither  fly  nor  i-un. 
—The    nailer    never     \^^^2y     missed  his  flour, 
For    Brownies    wield   a  mystic  power; 

Whate'er  they  take  they  can  restore 
In  greater  plenty  than  before. 


i7 


THE    IJIJOWNIES 


T()Bo(k;aning. 


'mtn 


#»*•*»» 


% 


All  clustovod  in  a  riii*;-  tlioy  stood 
Within  tlu'  slu'ltcr  of  the  wood, 
While  oarn(»st  t'ncos  Ijiighter  ^ivw 
At  thought  of  entei'pri.sos  new. 
Said  one,  "  It  seems  that  all  th( 
With  human  kind  of  every  age, 
Is  on  toboggans  swift  to  slide 
Down  steepest  hill  oi'  mountain 
Our  plans  at  once  we  nmst  prepai 
And  tiy,  ourselves,  that  i)leasure  rare. 
We  miglit  enough  toboggans  find 
In  town,  perhap.-i,  of  every  kind, 
If  .som(>  one  chanced  to  know  where  the 
Awaiting  sale  are  stowetl  away." 


Another  spoke :  "  Within  us  lies 
The  power  to  make  our  own  supplies ; 
We  '11  not  depend  on  other  hands 
To  satisfy  these  new  demands; 
The  merchants'  wares  we  '11  let  alone 
And  make  toboggans  of  our  own ; 
A  lumber-yard  some  miles  from  liei'e 
Holds  seasoned  lumber  all  the  year. 
There  pine  and  cedar  may  Ite  foimd, 

And  oak  and  ash  are  piled  around. 

Some  boards  are  thick  and  somi'  are 
thin. 

But  all  wall  bend  like  sheets  of  tin. 

At  ouee  we  '11  hasten  to  the  spot, 

And,  though  a  fence  surrounds  the  lot. 

We  '11  skirmish  'i-ound  and  persevere, 

And  gain  an  entrance, —  never  fear." 

5  1!) 


This  In'ouii'lit  a  .smilo  to  every 
F(jr  Brownii's  love  to  cliiiil)  and 
And  nndcrtako  .siich  work  as  will 
Brinn'  into  play  tlu'ir  woudi'oiis  skill. 
The  pointers  on  the  dial  plate 
Could  hardly  mark  a  later  date, 
^^--~  "      Before  they  sean)pered  o'er  the  miles 
^^^^     That  brought  them  to  the  kunber  pUi-s, 
"'    And  then  they  clambered,  erept,  and  scpieezed, 
l^       xVnd  gained  admittance  where  they  pleased; 
For  other  Avays  than  builders  show 
To  scale  a  wall  the  Brownies  laiow. 

Some  sought  for  birch,  and  some  for  pine, 
And  some  for  ct'dar,  soft  and  tine. 
With  free  seh^ction  well  content  ' 

Soon  under  heavy  loads  they  bent 
It    chanced    to   be    a    windy 

night, 
Which    made    their 

labor     far     from 

ligbt ; 
But,  though  a  Ilea /y 

tax  was  laid 
On     strength      and 

l)atience,      undis- 
mayed 
They  worked   their 

way  l)y  hook   or 

crook. 
And  reached  at  last 

a  sheltered  nook ; 


face, 
race, 


■■fm 


\ .  \ 


TluMi  lively  work  tho  crowd 

To  luuki'  toboggans  time  to 
plan. 
Tho  f'orf'(>  was  large,  the  rogu(>s  had  skill, 
And  hands  were  willing  —  better  still; 
So  hei'e  a  twist,  and  there  a  bend, 
Soon  })ronght  their  labors  to  an  end. 
Without  the  aid  of  steam  or  glne, 
They   curved   thein   like  a  war 

canoe ; 
No  little  forethought  some  dis- 
played, 
But     wisely     "  douhlc-enders " 

made. 
That  should  they  tm-n,  as  tm*n 

they  might, 
They  M    keep    tlu'    downward 

<'Ourse  aright ; 
They  fashioned  some  for  three 

f)r  four. 
And  some  to  carry  eight  or  more,  "?:"'  "^^"i 

While  some  were  made  to  take  a  crowd 
And  room  for  half  the  band  allowed. 
Before  the  middle  watch  of  night, 
The  Brownies  sought  the  momitain  height, 
And  down  the  steepest  grade  it  showed 
The  band  in  wild  pro<'ession  rode ; 
Some  lay  at  length,  some  found  a  seat ; 
Some  bravely  stood  on  bracing  feet. 
But  trouble,  as  you  understand, 
Oft  moves  with  pleasure,  hand  in  hand, 

51 


And  t'N't'ii   lii'ownit's  wciv  not   IVcr 
From  fvil  sua--  <>i-  sluliltoi-ii  live 
Tlial    sjilit    lolio^iii'iUis  like  ii   (|uill, 
Ami  scattcri'il   riders  down   tlic  liil 


With   pitidi  and  toss  and  phniu'c  tli(\v  Hew, — 
Some  ski)inii"d  tlic  di'ifts,  some  tuiiuelt'd  throuj;"li; 
TIhii  (lilt   across  till'  I'ro/cii  jilain 
At   dizzy  speed  1iie_\    shot   amain, 


,^» 


1^,^^ 


:£ 


Tlir<>ii;;'h    s])liiilfrc(l    rails    uiul 
ttyiii;;'  yiitcs 


■-'-'**ikJ^i^>iitt^/'^'//       or  tiiiir  11  .l(.ZMi  laryc  estates; 

|,y;''         riitil   it    sct'iiied   that    ociaii   wide 


AInlic 
e  o  u  1  (I 

.,'•,/,'•         t'lieck    the 

-■-   '  ^''^iuM^^'0'^  t'eai-ful    ride. 
■  '  home,    ^Towiiin' 

diz/y  with  the  speed, 
At  times  a  friendly  liaud  \v<tuM  m-ed 
To    lielp   them    keep   their  ]ti'(iper  i^'rip 
Throuu'li    all    the    dau^'i-rs    of    the    trip. 


And  thns  nntil  the  stai's  had  waned, 

The  sport  of  coasting'  was  maintained. 

Then,  while  they  sonyht  with  li\c]y  raee 

In  deejier  woods  a  hidiny-place, 
"  ITow  strange,"  said  one,  "we  never  tried 

Till  now  the  wilil  toho.u'.uan   ii<le  ! 

Jint  since  we  '\-e  [iroved  tlie  pleasure 

line 
Tliat  's  fcmnd  upon  the  stee])  in(dine, 
We  '11  often   nnistei'  on  the  hei.i;ht, 
And  make  the  most  of  I'V'ery  ni,i>']it, 
Until  the  rains  of  s])rinii;  descend 
And    hriny,-    such    ])leasures    tu    an 


w!,/i,«*'4%,.'!,^'W^' 


¥..  '<>A,v:^.' 


end. 


1>M  J:    :■ 


Another  answered  frank  and  tree  : 
iT*^..^   "'In  all  su(di  nnisters  count  on  me; 
Y^        Forthou,t;h  my  hack  is  hadly  strained, 
My  elhow-joint  and  ankle  sprained, 

"3 


0^ 


I  "11   lie  the  lii'.-l  Upon  lln- 

utouihI 
As  \i>wj:  ;is  p.-itcli  111'  siKiw 

is  fiiiind. 
And  l-r;i\cl\-  dn  my  part 

tu  strcr 
ToIm.-i;'.'!!!-  on  their  wild 

rai'icl'." 

So    vvrvy    I'Venin,:;',   i'oul 

oi'  fail'. 
The      jovial       IJrownics 

U'atlu'i'cd   tlnTc, 
Till    with    the    days    of 

Spi'iiiLi'.  at    last, 
Caiiif  di'i'iirhini:'   shown' 

and  nii'ltinu'  lilast. 
W'hicli  sent  till'  mountain's 

ice  and  siiow 
To    till    the    fivers  miles 

iielow. 


i\ 


"^   \-i.»■*^■'-■■^i■ 


VA 


^^ 


^''iWf't 


wis  «'. 

m 


w^^  ^  ''':f  If  i 


MM-' 


f':'i'4''  .z^^'"' 


J'ALMil  COX 


y 

/ 

, 

': 

4 

0- 

TiiK   inj()\\'\ib:s-  iJAij.oo.v. 


mmmA 


f:::&^^^^L^ 


Whilk  raml)liiiti"  tlii'oiiiili  tlic  forest  shade, 
A  suildcii  halt   some   P>i'o\viiics  iiuuU'; 
For  s]>n'a(l  alioiit  on  hiisli  aiul  urouiul 
All  old  hallooii  at  rest  tlicy  t'ouiid. 
That  whih'  ii|)oii  .soiue  Uyiiiy  trip 
Had  t>iv('ii  aeronauts  tlie  slip, 
And,  t'allinu'  here  in  t'oliat-'e  i^Ti'i'ii, 
Tlinmi;li  all  the  smnnier  lay  unseen. 
The  Brownies  "athered  fast  to  stare 


,■ 

upon  the  monster  lying  there, 

y*' 

DD 

'•'                    ^ 

.¥ 

'V'     ■{ 

\  4     ^,: 

^    #' 

,                    ■ 

r  0^ 

^^^fm. 


AikI  wlirii  tlicy  Icjirnod  tlu>  use  and  plan 
(  M'  \al\fs  and  ropes,   the  i"(»^-uos  l)cifan 
'I'u  \;{\    llirii'  sclinucs  and  uaiiic  a  nit,dit 
W'liiii  all  lould   take  an  airy   tli,:;'lit. 
W'c  want."  said  i>nc.  "no  lame  atfair, 
Liisf  sduic  llial    I'isc   witii   la'atrd  ail', 
And   liai'dly  drar  the  (dniniicy-top 
iM'turc  tiny  lose  ilirir  lit\-  and  drop. 
Tin-  liau'  \\it!i  Lias  nnist   lie  supplied,  t/  / 

That   will  in>urc  a   Irnuthy   I'idr  ;  ^  ■  •    '' 

When    Wf   s,.|    viiil    *!    j>    11,, I    to    tly 
AlidVf  a   >iiiiv  and  rail   it    lii^iii. 
Till'  iinat.  iM' li.-iskct.  IMIl^t    lie  >ti'<ini;', 
I  )rsi^iicil  I,,  take  t  lie  i-i'iiwd  alnnii': 
l''(.i'  lliat  w  lii'-li  lra\"is  a  pai1  lirliind 
Would    lianlly    >iiil     the     lli-nwiiic 

iiiinil.  ^ 

Tlir  W(i|-k>  that  >iM'\c  the  tiiwii  (il    l!|-a\ 
With   uas  aiv  s.'ai'.-e  Iwo  niilrs  awaw 
Tii-iii(iri'(Av  iii-iii    wr  "11  cMiiii'  and   heai 

A>  hi'^t    \vi'  can.  this  Imi'dcn   tln'iT: 

And   uImii   intiaicd.   lit    to   rise. 

^^  ''11  ''il^''  ;i  ^ail  ai'unnd  llie  skirs. 


\'i\t  e\ciiiu;:-.  as  the  s(dH'int'  was  planned 
The  i'>ld\vnie^  promptly  were  on  hand 
l'"r  when   >onie  pleasnrc  lii's  in  view, 
The  ahsenlees  are  always  I'ew. 
i>ut    "t    wa.-  no  eas\-  task    to   haul 


ni'  "hi   liallo<>n.  eai',  ropt's  anc 


I  all, 


Aero---<  the  rocks  and  fallen  trees 


And  t 


ifonuh  the  marshes  to  flieii-  knees. 


But  Browiiios,  ])('rs('V('i'iii;:j  still. 
AVill  kt'cj)  tlwMr  course  throua'li  ovovy  ill, 
And  iu  the  umin.  ns  liistory  s1io\ns, 
Succeed  in  aufi'lit  they  do  [)ropose. 


.1' 


9 


^.  ■  ■'-&<__i:- 


y 


'■■■>■»■  ""ftrx 


So,  thouifli  it  <'os(   tliein  rntliei'  dear, 
In  scratelu>s  there  atid  tuudiles  here. 
Tliey  Avorki^l  uidil  (lie  wondrous  t(>at 
or  ti'ansj)»)rt;'.tion   was  complete. 

57 


m 


^•i:€- 


Tliiti  wliili'  soiiii'  Inisy  (inti-crs  ]»layo(I 
Ai'niuid  till'  I'i'iits  that    lii'aiiclics  inadts 
All  cxlra  i''iil  ^l'  vp*'  was  tir(l 
111   Idiii;'   fi'vt'iiiiis  ai'iuiiid   tlif   side. 
Tiijil   all   llii'   part),  yninm'  <"H1<1  old, 
Miulit    liml  ;i   Inisty  sr;it   or  lioM. 
And   wliilr  tiny  wmkcil.  tliry  (dialled  free 
Aliinit    till'  wiiiidi'i's  tliry   wuiild   sci'. 
S;iid  I'll'  :  "As  >inui)tldy  as  a    kite, 

W'    "11    ri-r    ;d'n\-c    tllr    I'lollds    t(>-Il!L;-llt. 

And  nmy   iIh-  i|ii('st  iuti   Sfttlf  soon, 
AliHiit    till'  siiiiai't'  »d'  llir  inooti." 
Nnw  all   \\;is  ready   I'or  tin'  u'as. 
And  -mill   till'  l;ink   and   taiiu'icd  ihass 
JJi'-aii   I'l   ilup  altoiit    and    risf, 
A>  tlinii::'li   iihpiilii'iil    fill'  t  ill'   skies  ; 
Tliiii   v\as  llii'i'r   Work    I'ur  cN-ii'y   hand 
Tliiit   I'l'iil'!   Ill'  inii^lt'i'i'd   ill    the   hand, 
Til  ki'i'|i  till'  lii'iiw  iiii^'  iii<iii>ler  jiiw 
("mil   liny    >|(i()d   iirepai'ed   to   •^o; 
'I'll  tlii^  and   lliat    they   iiiad«'   it    last, 
ji'iiiind    >ti'in's   and     stakes    the    rope 
was  cast  ; 


lint  sti'oiii;'   it    n'lvw  and  sti'oiiyt'i'  still, 
As  cvi'iy  wrinkle  sccnicd  to  Mil ; 
And  when  at  lust  it  bounded  deai'. 
And  started  on  its  wild  career, 
A  rooted  stiini[)  and  garden  uate. 
It  cai'i'ied  off  as  special  freight. 

Thou;;!!  all  the  Bi-ownies  went,  a  part 

Were  not  in  ]tropei'  sliape  to  start ; 

Airanf^omonts  hardly  were  e(»ni])lete, 

Some  wante<l  room  and  more  a  seat. 

While  somi'  in  acrobatic  style 

Must  pnt   their  trust   in  toes  awhile. 

But   lirownies  are  not  hard  to  please, 

And  soon  they  i-ested  at  their  ease; 

Some  found  snp[>ort.  both  safe   and   strung', 

Upon  the  f;'ate  that  went   aloiii^'. 

By  SOUK'  the  stumi»  was  ntili/,(,'d, 

And  furnished  seats  they   lii,i;hly  prized. 

Now,  as  they  rose  they  ran  afoul 
Of  screaming'  hawk  and  hootinii'  owl. 
And  ilittin;;  bats  that  hooked  their  wins;s 
At  oiU'c  around  the  ropes  and  stjinj-s, 


,-£ 


A-  tliHiiL:ii  ruiitciit   tn  llii'i'c  iiltidt' 
Aii'i  l.ilv  tlif  '•liaiiccs  t>\'  the  ride, 
( »ii   |i;i»iiiu'  tlir'>iiL;li  ;i    licnxy   cloud, 
(Mil'  llius  ;i(Mi'i'>>ifl  tile  iii(>istciic(l  crowd  : 
"AliliHimh  till'  i';iilli.   IVoiii  which   wc  rise, 
Now  iii;iii_\    iiiilo  liclow   lis  Vu's, 
To  shiirpi  -I   r\i..  vti'.iiii  ;is  it  may, 
Tlic  iiiodii   looks  just   ;is  fni'  ;iway." 
•■The  (•;ii-tli   is  l;'(io(|  iiioiitiii   for  iiic!" 

Atiotlicf    >;ii(l.    "with 

And  slimly  L;ro\-f^.  of  y—^ — jj 

\\"ill  soiiic  ojic  ::i\c  the         ..'^'[[     i 


To    st;ii-t     u[ioii    ;i 

ihlt    oiici'    tlif   u;i 
Tln'v  Ims!  1 1n-  |i 
Tlic  li!o|v  tlicy  ll'icd 
Tile     llloiv     it      >cflii,( 


ir    /       A 


T/ 


Villi  soMii  tlic\  all  wi'i'c       -^^'fiy  I       ^ 


-^^^r^Sy^vi  :-''a;r^%~:.  W-/f^^ 


fjrassy  lea, 
.sonj^'sters   fiilL— 
valvo  a  pull  / " 
Well  couti'llt, 
mild  descent. 


^...., 


commenced  to  jf(), 
to  (dieck  tlieilow; 
control  to  naiii, 
to  rush  amain. 
Then  some  l)ej,'an 
1o  wrin;,;;  their 
hands, 
And  more  to  vol- 
unteer      c(ini- 
mands ; 
While  some  weiv 
craning  out  to 
view 
What      pai't     of     eai'th     their    wreck 

Wouhi     stl'ew, 
A   iiiaisliy   |ilain,  a   rocky  shore, 
Or  ocean   witii   its  sidlen  roar. 


It   liappcncd  iis  flirv  iicjircd 


I  he  iirottiKl. 
A  nislnnu'  ti'ali'   wa.s   swec])- 

iiiii'  i'iiuihI, 
That  cainilit  andcaiTicd  tliciu 

with  spt'cd 
Acl'oss   tilt'    t'oiTsI 

and  till'  mead. 
Then  Hvclycattdi- 

iti!^-     minht     he 

MH'Il 

At  ccdai'  tops  and 

hraiiidit'S  yrccii; 
WhUc      stni      the 

f^tiiliip      hclniid 

tllClll     SWUIlii', 

On  tliis  ii  cauu'ht. 

to  t  hat  it  hunu'. 
And.asaii  antdioi'. 

played  a  pai't 


-v>*^ 


I 


TIk'v  Httie  thouuhl   of  at  the  start. 
At  Iciiii'th,  in  s])it('  of  swccpiim  hlast, 
Sonic  friendly  liraiKdies  held  them   fast: 
And  then,  <les('endini;'.  safe  and  sonnd, 
'^riie  darinu'   IJrowines  rea<died  the  ground, 
lint  ill   the  tree-tup  oil   till,  hill 
The  old   l>allouii   is  hanyinu'  still, 
And  saves  the  farmers  on  the  plain 
From  ])laciiiii'  scare-erows  in  tlieii-  tirain. 


til 


■-.f^mf 


'nil-:  i;k()\\'niI':s  ('.\N()p:l\(j, 


S  (lii\    ill  sliailcs  of  cvciiiiiii'  sank. 
Till'   l)i'(i\viiics  I'caclicil  a  rivcv  hank  ; 
Ainl  tlniv  awliilf  stood  i;a/,iii,i;'  down 
Al   >tudciits  IVoiii  a   iiciii'liborinu'  town, 
WTioso    liiilit    canoes    cliariiicd 

,'      ,    ,  .      y  ,        ,  cNi'l'V    <'\i', 

l-.^^l;'         ^^_^,         /J  i         As  oiH'  hy  one  they  Hoalrd   hy. 


'*  ''^  V     *;''         S'   'A 


»' 
£ 


11  icy  u'o, 
Tutil  they  piin  the  jioint  l)clow. 


V    ''/ 


i^-rn 


~^ 


Sx'  '>'''■-' 


fei^^sijiilA 


-^-> 


uu 


Tlici'c    stiuids    a     lioust'.    Wilt 

lately  made, 
Wlici'cili  the  club's  clTfi'ls  ai'r 
laid  ; 
'^^S*  ,       We  'II     tal<('    possession    after 
.^3§§f      <l!n'k, 

'-^v-^  And  in  these   sti'aiit^'e   affairs 
enil>ai'k." 


They  all  deelarod,  at  any  cost, 
Aehanee  like  this  should  ne'er  he  lost: 
And  kee])in,ii'  well  the  uicn  in  siy-ht 
They  followed  closely  as  tiiey  inin'ht. 

The  moon  was  clinil»uij>'  o'er  the  hill. 
The  owl  was  hootintj  hy  the  mill, 
When  fi'om  the  liuildiny-  on  the  sands 
The    boats  were   shoved   with  willing;- 

hands. 
A  "'Shadow"  model  some  ex])lored, 
And  then  well-pleased  they  I'ushed  on 

hoard ; 
The  open   *'  I*eter1)oro'."  too, 
I'^ound  its  su]>])oi'lers — and  a  crew. 
The    Indian  "  liii'(di-liai'k  "  seemed  1oo 

frail 
And  lacked  the  adjunct   of  a  sail, 
^'et  of  a  load  it   did  not 

fail,— 
Foi-  all  the  boats  wt're   in 

(li'niand ; 

As  well  those  which  with 

skill  were  ))launed 
on 


-^ 


H\      llicll    <>\'    krcllcst     jllllliliM'llt      ri|»c. 
.\>llH»('nr     lllllllhli'l'.    Ilulllc-lllilllc   typ 
AihI    vixiii    ;i\\;iv    '-;iili'i|    .'ill    tin-    lli'ct 
W  il  li   (Aci's     I  tiiiw  nil'    ill    liis   >c;it. 


Ml'  st;ii-l    w.is  in'oniisiiii;-  fiiiil   liiK 


w 


III!     liUi' 


>lll   .'iIhI    less   (Icsiy'ii 


I  li''.\-    slicivil    .-iluim-   ;is    suited    hcst, 

•\'i'l  l''l   111''  ••iinviit   (1(.  tlic  ivsl. 

i;i 


All   nature  seemed  to  We  awai'e 

That,   sonietliiny  sti'aun'e   wiis  .stin'iiii,^   tliei-e. 

'^rile   owl    to-wll 1,   the    raven    el'oaked  ; 

The  mink  and  rat  with  caution  |)oke(l 
Their  heads  ahove  the  wave,  ayhast  : 
While  trou's  a  look  of  wonder  east 

Vnd  held  their  hreatli  till  all  had  passed.  "•     -j^    |   j"^^0fJ>^^f 
\s  evei'v   stl-eam   Will  show  a   hend.  r^^v!>^.'^' jKV^>*ff^</" A- 

1  one  explores  from  end  to  end,  ^nl-^'^Ml  VWlJ'^'^ 


A 
11 


^%i,>. 


''''Z'f,:/:^'^ 


S(i  cM'i'v  ri\'i'i'.  uTrat   and  small, 
Mii^t    lia\i'  its  i'a|>i(ls  and   its  fall; 
And  tlidSf  uli(»  on   its  surface  ylidc 
O'er  r()Ui;li  as  well  as  siiiootii   must  rido. 
The  sfivaiii   wli'Ti'du   had  startt'd  out 
'Pile   |{i'n\\iiii'  Wand  in   u'lccful  I'out 


Was    \\iii|    I'iKiimli 
At    riiiics    it    111111 

<  •"'•!■  >lh-|\  ilm   l-dcKS 

Ai   tinh's  it  foniii'ii  ftfvff 


to  })l(>ase  a  trout, 
bk'd  on  its  way 
and  howldi'i's  f,Tay. 
from  side  to  side 
l)oolsdo('2)an(hvid(', 


00 


Tl 


IC    <M' 


til'     cl'MW-lisli,  Icccli,   Mild    poiil, 
Tliiit  \vMt<'lii<l  tlii'in  IVdin  tlir  sliirtiiiiidiit, 
And  tliouiilit  cacdi   iiiuiiM'iit    tlittiiii;'  hy 
Miii'lit  s\n\\  lliciii  out  ji  yciir's  sui>j»ly, — 
The  Brownies  drifted  onwjii'd   still; 
And  tli()ny,li  confusion  hiiftled  skill, 


Canoes  tiii-ouii'hont  the  tr_\ini;'  I'liee 
Ke})!  ri^ht  si<le  n[)  in  every  ease. 
But  sport  that  travele(l  liand  in  hand 
With  horrors  hardly  pleased  the  l»;;iid, 
As  pallid  eiieek  and  popping'  eye 
On  evt'i'v  side  eould  testify; 
And  all  aj^reed  that  wisdom  lav 
In   steering'  home   without  deia_\ . 

So  landin,ii'  (juiek,  the  l)oats  they  tied 
To  I'oots  or  trees  as  ehance  supjdied, 
And  plunjiiiii,^  in  the  woods  jji-ofound. 
They  soon  w'er<'  lost  to  siyht  and  soinid. 


f^HO^^, 


TIII-:  i;k'<)\v\ii-:s  in  'riii<:  Mi':NA(ih:Kiiv 

II  I-;    Ill'iiWIlir-  heard    lllr    iirws    witli 

-Ir... 

That    ill  a  city  iicai'  the  sfji 

A  s|iai'iinis  huildiim'  \vas  (Icsiy'iicil 

Vnr  lioliliiii:'  hcasts  of  rvi'vx  kind. 

I'Vuiii    iMiJar   SHOWS.    IVoiii    drscrt         V,AVk"'^''^0 

saii.i.  t^^^/^:^ 

I'oiii    iiKHiiitain    |i<'al<,    and    liiii-  jj^^^,  s^^^ 

'"■'■'■'•  '"'"'•  UA/DE:R  THF- 

'i'lic    Itrasts    witli    idaw    and 

licasts  with   huof. 
All    met    licncath  oiic   slatt'd 

I'd!  it', 

Tlint    nii;iit,  like  itccs  Ixdorc 

till'  wind. 
With     hdiiic    in    si;ilit,    uiid 
stonii  hrhind. 
p.^fi*)*^r^'^rH7^i^      Till'  hand  of  iJvownics  iniy-Jit 

t  9^  J'    *il,$"'^       All  scuddinii'  IVoin   the  t'oi'fst  ix\ ii. 

»'a   'i't^5^i^'4  '^'^'•'^'^  '"""■  ''   '""'<  111"'  walls  to  scale 

is  iT(iuircd  t(t  t(dl  the  talc. 
The  art  that    makes  the  loidv  seem 

Weak. 
The  holt  to  slide,  the  hiiiuc  to  eveak, 
\Vas  theirs  to   nse  as  jiet'ctoforc, 
With  li'ood  elTeet.on  sash  and  door; 
And  soon  the  hand  stood  facH-  to  face 
With  all  the  wonders  ol"  the  [dtice. 


To    IJiowiiii's.  MS  to  I'liildi'cii  (lc;ir. 
The    liionkry    SccIUimI    ii    cl'ciit  lire   qllrcr; 

'riicy  wiiti'licd  its  skill  to  cliiiih  jumI  diim-, 

\>\   ritliir  toi'  '))•  t;iil  to  swiiiy': 

I'l'i'liiips  tlicy  ^iit   sonic  liiiits  tiijit   inin-lit 

<'oilli'    Well    ill    liaild    soliic    t'utuiv    l,i;4iit, 

W'licli  cliliihiiiL;'   ii|i  ii    wall   of  tl'cf, 

Or  cIiiiniH'N-,  as  the  casi'  niinJit  he. 


Then    off    1o    otiiii'  pai'ls  they  M 


I 


The  iiuiiiiiiiotli  tnrtlo  from  its  jm'U 
Was  (Irivt'ii  'voiiiid  and  "nmnd  a.u'aiii, 
And  ihoniiii  the  coach  prijvcd  nuluT 

slew 
Tlicy  kcjtt   it   lioiu's  upon  tlic  .^o. 
Said   one.   •"  Bct'ovc    your    face    and 

eyes 
1  11  taki'  that  snake  IVoni  wlicvc  it 

lies. 

And  like  a   Hindoo  ol'  the  Kast. 
iiiiiuni!)  and    charm    the   crawliiin' 

heast. 

Then  twist  him  'round  nie  ou  the 
spot 

And  tie  him  in  a  sailor's  knot." 
Another  then   was  (luick  to  slioiit, 


We'll   lea\-e  llial    ^nake  perrormaiiee  out 
I   L;iaril    you   all   llie   pdWer  \-oU  claim 
To  rliariii.   t(,  tic.   til   twist    and   tame; 

j'.Ut     il  t     Hie    still     SUU'U'est      Von     t  I'X' 


\' 


inr  art    wlicn   w,,  dUc  else   is  niti'li. 


Ot  all  the  heasts  tliat  eivip  or  crawl 
l''i-uin  K'ii])ei't"s  Land  to  <'hina's  wall, 
III   Itiri'id.  mild.  <>)•  IViiiid  zone, 

Tile    snake    is    licst    to    let    alollc."' 


At^aiii'-t    tlii<  ciiiiii 


At 


-el.     >eclnjlm'    U'OOd 


ast    a    <c(i|'e    lit    ot  llel'S    stood 


Said  one.  "  My  friend,  suppress  alarm; 
Tlieiv  ■>  iiiitliiiiL;  lieiv  111  tlii'caleii  liarm. 

lie    sure    tile    pnWer    tliat     llln)-|als    llold 
h    Hot     denied    tile     iJl'iiWllieS    liold." 


So,  li;mii]cssly  as  silken    Wands 

The  snakrs  w-tc  twisted    iiiilieir   liaii 


►Some   hauled   ti.elll    tVee|\- 


round    the   ]> 


Some   hi'aide(l   others   in   a    t 


race 


Ai 


id  evei'\'   kiiit    to  sadoi's   known 


Was  (|uiekiy  tied,  jiiid 


(|niekiy  sliowti. 


Thus,  "round   troin   cane   jo  e;m-e  tlie\    went. 
For  some  to  sniili',  and  some  eoinmeiit 


'v. 


■f 


Of  exti'a  leny'th,  and  then   deny 

To  something'  else  a   fail-  supply. 

—  Hut    when   tile   heal'  and  liuvi'  growled. 

And   woll'  and    lynx   in 

And   siarlini;'  from    it 


eliorUS    howled 


S     hroken     sleep. 


'I'he    lion    I'ose    with    sudden    leap. 
And,   houudiuii'  "round   the   roekin;;'  eaye, 
With    iii'ted   mane.   I'oarid    loud    witli   ra^v 
And   thrust    its  paws  hel  ween   the   hai's, 
I'ntil   it   scenu'd  to  shake  the  stars, — 


A    |i;i!iii'  M']/('i|    llii'    Urowiiit's  ;ill, 
.'\ii(l  <iul    llicy   .>c;iiiiimtci1    IVmii    till'   hall, 
As  if  tlicy   I'riiivd   inrimtioiis  iiii'ii 
Il.-iil  luiilt    tnci  tVail  a   prison   |i(ii. 


'i'iii<:   lUioWNiKs-  ciijcrs. 

OXK  iiiiilit  (lif  cii'i'iis  was  ill  town 
With   tiutildiiiy  iHfii  ami  |»aiiit(<l  i-jowii, 
AikI    iJruwiiics  i-aiin'   Iroiii   lni'i'st   (li'fp 
Around   iIm'  tent    to  i-linil»  ami  crcri). 
Ami   tlii'ou;;li   tile  canxas.  as  tln'V   iiiiifht 
or  inm-r  nio\  ciniiits  u,ai!i  a  siiflit. 


rs 


^■&ir:^^''> 


Siiid  oiir.   '•  A   ili;iiicf   \v»'  '11   Imi'dly   liiid 
Tlijit    litltir  >uits  tlic    l>io\viiic   iiiiiid; 
Tii-iiiL;lit    wlicii   all   this  iiiT.'it   aiTity 


or 


|ii(i|ilr  take  I  heir  iKHiicward   way. 


W'l' "I!   |iiiiiii])t  ly   iiiaki'  a   swift    dcscnii 
And  taki'  |n)ss('ssiiiii   of  tilt'  tent, 
Ami   Imiv.   till   iiiorniiii;-  li^'lit    is   shown, 
W'c  "11   lia\i'  a  cii'rii.-^  of  oui'  own." 
"i    Itfst."  cficil  dill',   "of  all   the  hand 

The  clt'iihant   ran   tak''  in    hand  : 

1    iiolici'd    how    ihry    lid    hilii    l'oiin(l  ^ 

Ami   iiiai'ki'd   tlir   |plai'i'   Im'   may   he   fotiiid  : 

( hi   nir  you.  may  iii)irnd  to  ki'r|( 

Till'   mmi-ti'i-   lianiili'>s  a>  a   slirr|i." 

Till' lauiiliiim' iTou  d  that  lilli'd  t  h^  placf.     • 
.Had  liai'illy  hnmrwai'd  tiirni'd  its  far-c 
lii'l'ni'i'  till'  I'a^;!'!'  waitin'.^'  hand 
Took  lull  po>si'.>sion  a-  t  liry  |ilaiini'd.    v   ) 
And  'riMiiid  tiny  si-aiii|pfrrd  l^l't  and 
i-i-lil 

To  .sec   what    ol'jV'vd    most    dclii^lit. 

<  'rii'd  oiii'.   "If   1   ran   only    find 

Till'    w  hi)!.    1  "11    ha\i'   a    happy    mind  ; 

I'oi-   1  "11   III'   mastiT  of  till'  v\]\ij; 
And   klip  thr  liorsi's  on   tln'  sprinii', 
Annoiinrr  the  naim's  of  those   who  I'idc 
.\iid   >iiap  tlir  V  hip  on   I'Vffy   side'' 
.\iiot  Inr  ,-aid.   "  I  "11    he  a   down  ; 
I    saw   thf   way   they    tiimhli'   down. 
And   how   the  riinnin.n"  I'o.yncs  contrive 
To  always  keep  {]iv   I'mi  alive." 


i  f 


<3'-*. 


Willi  such  remarks  away  tiicy  went 
At  this  or  that  ai'oiiiid  tln'  Iciil  ; 
The  wire  that  not  an   honr  hctorr 
The  .lapaiifsc  iiad  traveled  o'ei- 
From  enil  to  end  witli  carelnl  stride, 
Was  hunted  u|i  and  (|uiekly  tried. 
Not  one  ah)ne  upon   it   steppeil, 
Bvit  up  liy  twos  and  tln'ees  they  ere])!, 
Until  the  strand  appeai'ed  to  beai' 
No  less  than  lialf  the   P>rownies  there. 
[Some  showed  an   easy,   ^raeerul   pose, 
J->ut  some  put   little  i'aith   in  toes. 
And  th  )ii<ild  that  tiuiii'rs,  after  all, 
Al'e   hest    if  one   hei;ins   to    j'all. 

\V1ien  weary  of  a   s]»ort    they   li'rew. 
Away  to  othei-  tri(d\s  they   tlew. 
They   rode   upon   the  T'ollinu'  hall 
Without    i-eyard  to  slip  oi'    fall  : 
I-)oth  up  and   down   the  steep  iiiidine 
They   kept    tlieii-  i>laec,   with   iialanee  tine 
Futil  it  bounded   IVoiii   the  road. 
Am!   whirled  aw;',\'   without    its  loail. 


Ttitv   l;;i11u|m'.I  "ruiuKl   llic   dusty    I'iiiu' 
Willhiiil   a   saiMlc.   strap  <>i'  stiMiiu'. 
AihI  jii!ii|ir<l   tlii'Hiiuli   liiii>|is   liolli    lariiv  aiul 
Aii'l   'Ai'f  lii(iiiiii-s.   piilfv  ami   all. 


•^Iiiail, 


In    liiiir   ihr   'Iriiliaiit    was   tmiiHl 

Ami    held  as   llmii-li    in    Irttd-s   Wuiiinl  : 

'rilcir    lll\slic     |Mi\\il-     rnllt  I'mUciI      tllr      Itcast.- 

Ilc   M'cincd   alVaid    I"   iihai'   tin'    lr;ist. 
I'.iil    lillid   with    wt'inlfr.   liiiip  and    lax. 

I  Ir  vt 1   and   tivnililt  d    in    )ii<   tra(d<s. 

Wdnlc  all   i1m-   h.iiid   iVum    tirst    t<i   last" 
Ai'i'n    -   Ids    liaid<    ill   iirdci'   iiassrd. 


'o4J^^Afij'!^'.-fv..:. 


>s"* 


mmricox 


l^' 


So   thus   llicy   s;i\v   tlic   iiioiiiciii-^    tiy 
'I'ill   (l;i\\  II    Im'umu    In   paint    I  !;•'    -k_\  ; 
AikI   tlit'U    liy  '-very   Map  ami   ti'ai' 
Tlicy   iiiadc   tliciv   way    lo  upcn  air. 
And   off  tlinui^li   lanes  and  alleys   passed 
'l\»  reaeti    their  Iiidiiiu-[»laee  at    last. 


Kf' 


Till-:    llUoWMl^S    AT    UASlvlJAIT.. 


Tliis  ^iiiiic  ('xt<'iuls  Ilir()ut;iu)nt   lln'  land', 
No  cilv,  (i)\vn,  or  villaii'i'  'romnl. 


In  rnsc  (if  iiiisli:i|i  on   tlif  way, 

<>!•  loss,  ur  liivakauv  'liiriiii;-   |il;i\'. 

TIm'   iiiulil    was  cli'ar.   tin-   n>ail    was  yood. 

Ami   MMHi   wilhiii   iIm-   li''lil   iIh'.v  stooil. 

Til'  11  l;;iiii'>  wi'iv  iilavfd   wiltiout   a   pansr. 
.\i-,-(pr.liiiu-  \i>  tlif  |H'iiitc(l    laws. 


'I'lu-IV.    tlllMl  ali'illl.     rarll      Inok     jyr- 

lii>  [tlai'f  ■"  I 

At     tifst    'Pi'  tliinl    <ii-    si'cdiiil     ^ 
l.a>.'. 


1  y-  /.-■■■  y^« 


l/'.'f/'('0>C, 


J 


At    left    i>i'  riii'lit  or  cciitiT  licld. 

'I'd   pitch,   to  I'iitdi.   or   lijit    tu   wield, 

(  >1'    else    ;is    "  sll(>l'l-sto|)  "'    st;ill(lillL;'    liy 

To  rjiti'ii   ;i   "  ;L;roiiii(|i'r"  or  ;i    '"  tly." 

iSooii   every  eoriK  r  of  the  ^rouml 
Its  separate  set    oi'  players   round. 

.\    do/.ell    ^allies    upon     the    l^reeU. 

With    ins  and   outs  luiuht    tlnre  he  seen. 
The   uiii]iires   notiny'  all    with   i-are 
To  tell   ir  hits   were   foul   or  fail'. 


O 


vjfiil^-. 


*=r     -',, 


The  '■  strikes"  and  ■■  halls"  to   jdainly  shout, 
Ami  say   if  men   were   "safe"  or  "out." 
And  'j:\\r  de(dsion  just   and   wise 
When    knott\-  (luestions  would   arise. 


r>ut    many    lirowines  liKMmln    it    l>est 
To   leave   file  spoi't   and    wat<di    the  vest; 
.\nd   tVom   the  seats  or  fences   hi^-h 
Tliev  \'i"Wed  the  scene  willi  anxious  eye 
.And  ne\-er  faile«l.   the  contest   throULjii, 
To   render  praise   when    praise   was  due. 

SI 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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cv 


Wllilc   idlicrs.    tVrrd    IVoiti    yjililcs  oil    luilld. 
Ill  incrvy  groups  aside  would  stiiiid. 
And  pitrli  ;uid  ciitidi  witli  I'jircst  skill 
Ti)  kfc))  tlit'insclvcs  ill  pi'iicticc  still. 


'  I.  ..  f. 


i 


I 


Now  "doidtlf  ))la\s"  ;i!,(I  balls   well  curved 
And    "hase    liils"   often    were   ohsel'Ved. 
\\'liile  "errors"  were  hut   seldom   seen 
Throiiiili  all   I  lie  uaiiies  iijion   tliat    irreeii. 


Before  llie  llusli  of  iiioni  arose 
To  hriii;;'  tlieir  contests  to  a  (•!< 
Th 


halls  and  hats  m  everv  ease 


ere  earned 


hael 


k  and  put  in  ])laee ; 
And  when  the  Brownies   left  the  stoi-e 


All 


was  ni  order  as 


■del 


befort 


TIIK    lUiOWNlKS    AND    TlIK    DKKS. 


/i^ 


throHi 


They  ua/.ed  at   hi'anelies  in  the  air 
And  listened  at   the  roots  with  eai'e, 
And  soon  a  pine  of  liiant  size 
Was  found  to  hold  the  hidden  pri/,o. 
Said  one  :"  Some  wild  hees  here  have  made 
Tlieir  home  within  the  forest  shade, 
Whei'e  neithei'  fox  nor  pryin:;'  lieai- 
Can  steal  the  treasure  nathered  there." 

Another  spoke:  "You're  (piiek  and  l>ri::'ht, 
And  as  a  rule  judi^e  matters  riiiht ; 
But   here,  my  tViend,  you  'iv  all  astray. 
And   like  the  hlind  m<de  yrope  your  way. 
I  ehanee  well  to  remember  still, 
llow  months  a.^'o,  when  uj)  the  lull. 


A  fanm'r  lU'iii'.  with  hell  aiul  horn, 
Pursued  a  swarm  one  sunny  iii(»rii. 
TIic  fearful  dill  the  town  awoke. 
The    t'ia)ti)er    from    iiis    ))ell     lie 

hi'oke ; 
I->ut  still  tlieir(iueeirsdireetiiiu-('ry 


Tlie  hees  heard  o'er  the  clamor  iiiii'li ; 
And  held  their  heariiii;-  for  this  pine 
As  straiiiht  as  runs  the  county  line. 
With  taxes  here,  and   failures  there, 
'J'he  man  can  ill  such  losses  hear. 
In  view  of  this,  our  duty  "s  cleai": 
'I'o-moi'i'ow  iii^iht   we  Ml  muster  liere. 
And  when  we  ^ive   this  tree  a  fall. 
In  iiro|>ei'  .shape  we  '!1  hive  them  all. 


.- 1 


' 


And  take  tlic  (int'cn  and  workiiiti  tlir<»iiL;' 
And  la/y  drones  where  they  iH'loni;-." 

Next  evenini--.  at  the  time  they'd  set. 
Around  t!i<'  i)ine  the  lirownies  met 

With   tools  eolieeted.   as   they    sped 
From  mill  and  shop  and  I'avnu'r's  shed; 

While  some,  to  all  th<'ir  wants  alive. 

With  ready  hands  procnr-'d  a  hive. 

Ere  work   l)euan.  said  one;  "1  fear 

lint   little  s]»ort   awaits  us  hen'. 

B<'  sure  a  tryin--  task  we'll   tind  ; 

The  hee  is  tuss  and  tire  combined. 
Let  's  take  him   in  his  <li'owsy  hour. 
Or  when  palavering  to  the  llowei'. 
For  l)ees,   lw»wever  wihl  or  tame. 
In  all  lands  are  altout  the  s'.me; 
And  thos(«  will  rue  it  who  neirleet 
To  trt'at   the  hu/zer  with  res])ect." 

Kre  lonji,  hy  steady  j?rasp  and  Idow, 
The  towerinji'  tree  was  levele<l  low  ; 
And  then  the  hive  was  made  to  rest 
In  proper  style  above  the  nest, 
Until  the  (|ueen  and  all  her  train 
Did  full  and  I'air  possession  uain. 

Then  'round  the  hive  a  sheet 
4,*        That    some   were   thoUfihn'ul 

to  provide, 
.\nd    off    (»n    poles,    as    best 

they  could. 
They  bore  the  burden  from 

83 


'l^'f 


% 


was  tie<l, 


But  troultlo,  as  one  may  diNniio, 
Occurred  at   points  alon^-  the  line. 

'T  was  Itatl  cnouiili  on  level  ^-I'ountl, 
Where,  now  and  then,  <)iir  exit  foHiid ; 


But  when  tile   Brownies  lacked  a  road, 
Or  clindied  1  he  fences  with  theii'  load, — 
Then  nund)ers  of  the  prisonei-s  there 
Came  troopiui^  out  to  take  the  iiir, 


ht> 


Ami  niiinatfod  stvaiylit  «'noii<,'li  t(»  Hy 
To  kei'i>  cxcitciiR'nt  ruimiiiii'  liiuli. 


With  hranchos  broken  off  to  suit, 
And  grass  uplifted  by  the  root, 

87 


In  vain  sonic  darinj,'  Hrowniics  tried 
To  lii'ush  the  l>u//in,ii'  plairucs  asiiU'. 
Said  one,  wiiosc  IVatui't's  proved  to  all 
Tiiat   licrs  had  paid  his  favc  a  call  : 
'I  M  I'atlicr  dare  the  raiiinii'  main 
Than  meddle  witii  such   lliinu's  a^ain." 
•The  nohic  vuicc."  anotiiei'  cried, 
•Of  (hit\    still  musl    rule  and  uiiidc, — 
Or  in   the  ditch   the   sun   would  see 
The  tinuliled   hi\-e   i'or  all  nt  me." 

And   when  at    last    the  fence  they  found 
That  ii'ii't   the  fai'iucr's  orchard  'roun<l. 
And  laid  the  hive  upon  the  stand. 
There  hardly  was.  in  all  the  hand, 
A  sintile   Brownie  'aIki  was  free 
From  some  reuunders  of  the  hei'. 

But   thouiihts  of  what  a  iifeat  snr])rise 
Kre  lonii'  would  lijilil   the  farmci-'s  eyes 
Soon  di'ovc  away  from  every  brain 
The  sliyhtest  thought  of  *oil  or  pain. 


8S 


i 


TIIK    I^KOWXIES    ON     Kol.LKIi    sKATh:s. 


IIV,  livttwuus  pl;iiiiu'«l  at  (•l(tst'  of  day 
To  r»-arh  a  town  soiin-  inilcs  away. 
Wii.-n-  roller  skatitij:;,  so  "t   was  said, 
<»f  all  anms»'nit'iits  kept  ahead. 

Sai<!  <iii.-:  -  WIh-ii  ilit'iMr  shadows  fall. 

\NV  *II  ••r»r<>  rh.-  riv.r,  tind  the  hall, 


■?»r-»^ 


I 


And  loam  the  natiiiv  of  tlx-  spt.rt 
(H'  which  we  hear  such  ^^»<hI  ivport. 


To  iva( 


li  llic  l»riilirf  tliat   1«mI  to  t(»^^^l, 


With  catrcr  steps  they  hasU'iU'd  <lo\vu 
But  recent  rains  had  caused  a  rist — 
Th 
Til 


e  stream  Wiis  n<i\v  ; 


I  tearful  size 


e  liridit'e  \v 


lis  nearly  swept  away, 


Sul>nieri,'i'd  in  |)arts.  and  wet   with  spray. 

Hut   wlieii  tile  cunniu!,'  Brownies  <;vt 
Their  mind  on  some  maneuver  si't, 
No]'  wind  nor  tlood,  nor  frost   noi-  lire 
C";in  ever  make  the  rogues  retire. 

Some  walked  the  drippinti  l<'.irs  with  eas(>. 
While  others  crept  on  hands  and  knees 


j^ 


^ 


With  niovem^ 


■nls  rather  safe  than  fast, 


And  inch  hv  inch  the  danirer  passed. 


Now,  jiuided  hy  the  nunhlinsj  sound 
That  told  where  skaters  circled  Yoimd, 
Thrimjih  dimly  lij^hted  streets  tlu-y  ttew, 
And  close  ahout  the  huildinj,'  drew. 

Without  delay  the  active  hand. 

By  spouts  and  other  means  at  IuitkI, 

'JO 


1 


Of  skill  and  darinj;  tuniislifd  proof 
And  fj;aiii'''  |)().s.s('ssi()n  of  tlif  rmA' ; 
TIh'U  throiijili  tin'  skylij,dit  viewed  tin-  show 
Prcsi'iitcd  In-  till-  crowds  Itclow. 


Said  one :  "  Wliilo  T  survey  that  floor 
1  'ni  filled  with  lonj^ing  more  and  more, 

01 


I 


B 


Then  will  the  tilllr 
l"'()l'  US  Id  leave  this 
And  prove  liow  well 
We  inav  ('oiiimaiid 


When     eami'     the 
And     people     tVoiii 


And  discontent  vith  nic  will  hide 
Till  'round  the  I'ink   I   smoothly  i^Vuh'. 
At  niiiht    1  've  ridden  throuj^h  the  air, 
Where  hats  aliide,  and  ()wls  repair; 
1  've   rolle(l   in  surl"  of  ocean   wide, 
And  coasted  down  the  niouutain-side ; 
And  now  to  sweep  arouud  a  hall 
On  roller  skates  would  crown  it  all." 

My  plans."  the  leader  answer  inudc. 

Arc  in  my  mind  already  laid. 

Within  an  hour  the  tolk  Itelow 

Will  (|uit   their  sport   and  homeward  y'o ; 

he  ri|»e.  indeed, 

•^  ayu.       '■"•'*'  ^^'i^''   !^p<'''d, 

a        V       i  7) i/t^Li       ""•■  ^'"'^  •'""!    heels 


when  set  on  wheels. 


closing;  hour  at    last, 
the  rink  had  i>assed. 


The  Rrowniies  hurried  down  to  tind 
The  roller  skates  they  M  left   hehind. 

Tlicn  such  a  scene  was  there  as  few 
May  e\er  have  a  chance  to  view. 
iSonie  hardly  circled  'rouml  the  i>lace, 
J-}efore  they  moved  with  ease  and  j^'ace, 
And  skated  freely  to  and  fro. 
Ui)on  a  siniile  heel  or  toe. 
Some  coats  wei'i'  torn  hcyond  repair, 
Hy  catches  here  and  clutches  there. 
When  those  who  felt  their  faith  jiive  way, 
(Iroped  riglit  and  left  without  dehiy ; 


Wliilc  some  wlio  strovo  tlicMr  tViciids  to  aid, 
rpoii  tlic  tlodi'  thfiiis('lv<'s  wci'c  laid, 
To  spread  ('(nit'usion  tlici-c  awliilc, 
AiS  lai'^ff  and  lartitT  ^a'l'W  tlir  pile. 


"     'yfil!'>'\: 


« 


/•At^H'i  CO)'. 


Soiiu'  rose  with  fingers  out  ot"  joint, 
(.)r  black  and  blue  at  e\ery  point ; 

93 


And  tVw  l)ut  t'olt  sonu'  portion  sow, 
From  introductions  to  the  floor. 
But  such  mishaps  were  lost  to  sifiht, 
Amid  the  conmion  wild  deh,ij;ht, — 
For  little  plaint  do   Brownies  make 
O'er  hump  or  hruise  or  even  hreak. 

Uut  stars  at  length  hegan  to  wane, 

And  dawn  canu' creeping  thrc nigh  tlie  pane  ; 

And  much  against  the  will  (»f  all, 

The  rogues  were  forced  to  leave  the  iiall. 


TITK    l^^PvOWXlKS    AT   THE    SEASIDE. 


ITIIIN  a  forest  dark 
and  A\ide, 
Sonir    distance    from    the 
ocean  side. 
A  hand  of  Brownies  played  an 
On  mossy  stinie  or  grassy  uk 
Or,  clind)ing  through  the  hvi\ 

ing  tree. 
Performed   then-    unties  wild 
ree. 

04 


Wlii'ii  one,  arisiiifi;  in  his  pliUM' 
With  .sparldin.i?  eyes  and  beaiiiinji  face 
Soon  won  attention  from  the  rest, 
And  thus  tlie  hstiaiing  throng  addressed  : 
"  For  years  and  years,  throui,di  heat  and  eold. 
Our  lionie  has  heen  this  forest  old; 
Tlie  sa])hnji's  wliieii  we  used  to  Iti'iid 
Now  hke  a  schooner's  masts  ascend. 

Yet  liere  we  live,  content  to  ride 
A  springing  l>ough  with  childish 

l)ride, 
Content  to  bathe  in  Itrook  or  h<jg 
Along   with    lizard,    lee(di,    and 

frog ; 
We  're  far  1)ehind  the  age  you'll 

Hnd 
If  once  vou  note  the  human  kind. 


I 


i 


Till'  modern  yontlis  no  longer  liivc 
Their  limits  lu-ncath  the  muddy  wave 
Of  meadow  po»»l  or  villaii'e  i»ond, 
But  seek  the  ocean  far  lu'vond. 

If  pleasure  in  tlu>  sea  is  found 
Not  offered  hy  the  streams  around, 
The  Brownie  hand  at  onee  rdiould  liaste 

These  unfamiliar  joys  to  taste ; 
No    torch    nor    lantern's    ray 
\V("  Ml   need 

'I'o  s'low  our  path  o'er 
di'wy  mead, 
'I'lie  ponds  and  \n\- 
falls  in  the  swale, 
H'lie   ojM'n   ditch, 
the  sliver<'d  rail, 
The  i)oison  vine 
and  thistle  liifjli 
Show    clear    be- 
fore   the    Bi'own- 
ie's  eye." 
— Next    eveiiin.ii".    as 
their  plan  they  M  laid, 
hand  soon   gathered 
in  the  shad(>. 
All  clustered  like  a  swarm  of  beos 
They  darted  from  the  sheltering  tri'cs; 
And  straight  across  the  cmmtry  wide 
Began  their  journi'y  to  the  tide. 
And  when  they  neared  the  Itt^acli  at  last, — 
The  stout,  the  lean,  the  slow,  the  fast,— 
'T  was  hard  to  say,  of  all  the  lot. 
Who  foremost  reached  the  famous  spot. 


TIh' 


« 


"/.nd  now,"  said  one  witli  !U'tiv<'  mind, 
"  What  |)i'<)])ci'  jijtrint'nts  can  we  find  .' 
in  hatliinii,"  costunic,  as  yon  know, 
The   people   in   tile  ocean  n'o." 

Anotliei-  sjtoke,  '•  Vor  sncli  demands, 
The  hnihhni;  larjjo  that  yonder  stands. 


•■  y 


%? 


^^:.^ 


J^AlfU^  COX 


As  one  can   sec  on  ])assinii'  Ity, 
Is  I'nll  of  .u'arments  clean  and  dry. 
There  eveiy  fashion,  loose  or  tiii'ht. 
We  mav  secnrc  with  lalior  liiiiit."' 


Tlionii'li   Brownii's  never  carry  keys, 
Thev  tind  an  entrance  whert^  th"y  please 


And  lu'vcr  do  they  fluickk'  more 
Tliiiii  when  some  miser  hars  his  door; 
Vov  well  tliey  kn,)W  that.  si»ite  of  loeks, 

Of  rinys  and  staiiU's,  1k»Us  and  hloeks, 

Were  tliey  inehned  to  i>lay  such  prank 

lie  \\  lind  at  morn  an  empty  bank.  •^3^Si=^*!5^T- 

So  now  the  crafty  lirownie  en-w 

Soon  hroiiii-lit  tin'  Itatlung-snits  to  view  ;      ^    'J 

Some,  working  on  the  inner  side,  4-^ 

The  waitinu;  throng  without  sup- 


plied.— 


"fPt 


PAfi.'ff  COK 


•JH 


'T  was  Imsy  work,  as  may  ho  p:iiesso(l, 
\Moiv  tlio  band  was  fully  dressod; 
Home  still  liad  cloth  enough  to  lend, 
Thoni^h  sliovtened  np  at  either  end; 
Some  ran  ahout  to  find  a  pin, 
While  others  rolled,  and  puckered  in. 

And  madi'  the  best  of  what  they  found. 

However  strange  it  hung  around. 

Then,  when  a  boat  was  manned  with  care 
To  watch  for  daring  s^\nn^ners  there,— 

Lest  some  shoiild  venture,  over-bold, 

And  fall  a  prey  to  cramp  and  cold,— 

A  few  began  from  piers  to  leap 

And  plunge  at  once  in  water  deep. 

But  more  to  shiver,  shrink,  and  shoiit 

As  step  by  step  th(>y  ventured  out; 

^^^lile  others  w(>re  content  to  stay 

In  shallow  surf,  to  duck  and  play 

Along  the  lines  that  i)eople  laid 

To  give  the  weak  and  timid  aid. 

It  was  a  sight  one  slumld  behold, 

When  o'er  the  crowd  tlu^  breakers  rolled; — 

One  took  a  header  tluwigh  the  wave, 

One  floated  like  a  chip  or  stav(>. 

While  others  there,  at  every  ])lunge, 

Were  taking  water  like  a  sponge.  -      -    -^ 

But  while  the  siii-f  they  tumbled  through, 
Thev  reckoned  moments  as  they  flew, 
An(i  kept  in  mind  then-  homeward  race 
Before  the  sun  should  show  his  face. 

00 


[^ ...- 


W^iJEJ 


;;^^c*<ij/ 


For  sad  and  paini'nl  is  the  fate 
Of  those  who  roam  alu'oad  too  lato  ; 
And  well  may  BroMmios  hvnv  m  mind 
The  hills  and  vales  tliey  leave  behind, 
Wlien  t'ai-  from  native  haunts  they  run, 
A.5  oft  they  do,  in  truest  of  fun. 


100 


UNIVERSITY  OF  VICTORIA 

LIBRARY 

Victoria,   B.   C. 


But,  cro  tlu«y  timicd  to  loavo  the  strand, 
They  made  a  V(t\v  with  liftod  hand 
That  every  year,  when  snnnner's  glow 
Had  warmed  the  ocean  spread  helow. 
They  M  joimiey  far  from  grove  and  ylen 
To  sport  hi  rolHng  surf  again. 


■^C 


-:^*'e-^ 


TllK    l^rvOWNIKS    AM)    THE 


9« 


One  evening,  with  tlie  falhng  dew. 
Some  Brownies  'round  a  cottage  drew. 
Said  our  :  "  1  '\  e  h^arncd  the  reason  why 
We  miss  the  '  Biddy,  Biddy ! '  <'ry, 
That  every  morning  Imniglit  a  score 
Of  fowls  anmnd  tliis  cottage  d<»or; 
'T  is  rheumatism  most  severe 
That  keci)s  the  widow  i)risoned  lierc. 
llcr  sheei)  go  Ideating  tlnough  the  licld, 
In  ,,ucst  of  salt  no  lici'h  can  yield, 
'^']^r~        To  early  roost  the  fowls  witlxlraw 
*  "'"  While  each  ])ewails  nn  empty  cri.w. 

And  sore  neglect  you  may  <liscern 
On  every  side,  wliere'er  you  turn. 
If  aid  coni(>  to  the  widow's  neeil, 
From  Brownii's'  han.ls  it  nmst  i.ro.v.Ml."* 
Another  said:  "The  wool,   1  know, 
Went  througli  the  null  a  month  ago. 
itu 


I  saw  tlu'in  wIh'11  tlicy  l»<»r('  the  sack 
rp  yuiidcr  hill,  a  wondrous  park 
'riiat   rauulit    till'  hi'aiiclifs  ovci'licad. 
And  round  tlicir  liccls  the  graved  spi'cad. 
Her  spinninu-wlicrl  is  lyini^  there 
In   i'rauineiits  quite  heyond  i-epair. 
A   passini;'  li'oal,   with   manners  hold, 
Mistook   it    for  a   rival  (dd, 


WlMf/tCOX  , 


1 


JOU 


I 


An<l   kiu>«-k»'<l   it    "r<)Uii<l    for  luilf  an 

With  sill  his  tintrd  })Uttiii,n'  itowrr. 
Th'-y  ?*ay  it   was  a  strikinu'  scene, 
That  t\vili:.'lit  eMulliel   on  llie  iiiven  : 
Th«-  whffl  was  restinii'  on  the  shed, 
Th.-  fniinr  around  the  leaden  si.iva<l, 
JVfon-  the  ;,'oat  had  ixahied  his  sig-ht. 
AikI  jiuL'ed  the  artiele  ari.i!;lit."' 

A  thira  reinark.'d  :  "  I   call  to  mind 
Aiioth»-r  wheel  tliat   we  may  tind, 
Tlioujih   somewhat    worn   hy   use   and 

time. 
It  }><-«'nis  to  lie  in  order  ])rime; 
Now.  nivrht  is   hut  a  hahe  as  yet, 
Th«'  <k'W  has  scar.v  rhe  (dover  wet  ; 
By  ninninir  fast  and  workiui-;  hard 
\\',.  ji^^m  call  hrinti'  it  to  the  yard: 
Tb«-ii  statione<l  liere  in  oi»en  air 
Th*-"  widow's  wo(d  shall  be  our  eaiH>." 

Thi**  suited  all,  and  soon  with  /eal 
They  jrtarted  off  to  iiud  the  wheid ; 
Their  ••oiu-se  across  the  co-^utry  lay 
\Vli(f-r»-  ui'eat   ol)structions  hai-red  tlie 

way : 

But   Brownies  stddom  s-o  around 
ilow».-v.,-r  rough  or  wild  the  ground. 

O'er  rrx-ky  slope  and  mai'shy  l)ed. 
With  one  act-ord  they  pushed  ahead,— 

103 


A. TOSS  the  tiiil-i-acc  of  a  mill. 

And  tlin»n<;h  a  clmrchyar*!  on  the  liill. 

Tl\('y  i'onnd  Ww  wIhtI.  witli  lirad  and  IVct. 
And  l»and  and  iixtuvfs.  all  (•oni])l<'tt' ; 


^'Wffif 


:g^ 


gm^^^f^?^ 


fe^^^^ 


m^i 


.W^^-t  '  ' 


And  soon  l>cn(>ath  the  trying  load 
Were  .strnuiilinu'  on  tlif  liomoward  I'oad. 

They  had  some  trouble,  toil.  an<l  care, 
iconic  lioistini!,'  lici-c.  and  hauling  tlicrc  ; 


-: 


At  times,  tlio  wluM'l  upon  a  fence 
Defied  tlieiii  all  to  draii;  it  tlieiiee. 
As  tliouti'h  (leteriuined  to  remain 
AikI  serve  the  farmer,  nuai'diiin-  uraiii. 
But  i)atieiit  liea<l  and  willinu"  hand 
Can  woudei's  work  in  eveiy  laud; 

105 


And  cuiiiiiiiu'  Bi'owiiirs  iicvci'  yield, 

iillt    nVf   iis   victni's    lc!i\('    (lie    ti(d(l. 


Sdiiic  I'.iii  t'ui- sticks.  Mild  sDiiii' Tor  |>i'i('S. 
And  more  tor  Idixdxs  (ni   wldidi  Id  rise, 
'riiiit   cNfry  liiind  oi'  slionldrr  there 
!n  sn(di  ;i  [lincdi  iniizlit   du  its  sliare. 

Befniv   tile   dooV   tlieV   set    tlie    wlieel. 
And  near  at   liaiid  tlie  windiiin'  feel, 
'i'liat   some  niiu'lit   \siiid  while  othei's  spun, 
And  tints  the  task  lie  (juiekly  done. 


Xo  time  was  wasted,  now.  to  find 
W'liat  hest  Would  suit  ea(di  hand  or  mind. 
Some  tln'ouyh  the  cottage  crept  about 
To  lind  the  wool  and  i»ass  it   out; 
With  some  to  turn,  and  some  to  ]>ull, 
And  some  to  shout.  *'  The  s])indle  's  full ! ' 
The  wheel  irave  out  a  di'onin^  Nonji, — 


The  work  in  hand  was  pushed  along. 

Tlieii-  mode  of  action  and  tln-ir  skill 
AVith  wondei-  miyht  a  spinster  fill; 


!• 


OI'  out  across  the  vai'd  entire 


They  s]>un  the  yarn  like  endless  'svnre, — 


Beyond  the  well  witli  steady  haul, 
Aci'oss  the  ])atch  of  l>eans  ami  all, 
Tntil  the  walls,  or  ditidies  wide, 
A  greater  stretch  of  wciol  denied. 

The  widow's  yarn  was  <juickly  wound 
In  tidy  halls,  »|uite  large  and  round. 


/ 


•/ 


^^uici;  cox: 


And  oro  tlio  iii<>lit  Ix'-^an  to  fade, 
The  borrowed  wlu'cl  at  lioiiic  was  laid ; 
And  none  tlio  worse  for  I'aek  or  wear, 
P]xooi)t  a  l)lonnsli  licrc  and  tlunv, 
A  spindle  hent,  a  broken  hand, — 
'T  was  ready  for  tlie  owner's  liand. 


i 


107 


m% 


1-    f  i-.  .tf  ■.kN^:*^ 


•^^^^^> 


vfiP 


^   'C'v:^ 


TJiJ-:   i!i!OW,\ii':s-  A-(»^'Af:E. 


UK 


1 

4riiii(L 


Siiiil  (iiic,  *•  ll(i\v  many  limes  liavc  we 
Sui'\cyi'<l  those  islands  in  tlie  sea. 
And  IdiiLjed  t'oi-  means  to  thither  sail 
And  rand)le  o\er  hill  and  \al(' ! 


Ill- 


Tlijit  pleasure  ran'  wo  may  eominaiKl, 

Without  the  aid  of  human  hand. 

And  ere  the  faintest  streak  of  jri-ay 

lias  ad\ei'tised  the  eoiiiiuu'  day, 

A   sturdy  eraft,  Ix.th  tou-i'li  and  tall. 

With  luastsand  liaiyards,  shrouds  and  all. 

With  sails  to  spi'ead.  and  helm  to  yuide. 

l'onil)leted  tVoiu   the  ways  shall  ylide. 

So  exercise  your  mystir  [lower 

And  luake  the  most  of  e\cvv  hour  I" 


With  axes,  hannnei's,  saws.  nn<l  i-ules, 
J)ividers,  s(|uares,  ami  hoi-iny  tools. 
The  active    Hl'ownies  seattei'ed   'round, 
And  every  one  his  labor  found. 
Soinefell  to  (dioi)])inji' 

down  the  tn-es, 
And  some  to  hewinti'      k'^'MUMi^^^i^^^^^^f^t  II- ■'^^'Sj 
ribs  an<l  knees; 


Whil 


e       more 


th 


ponderous  keelson 


made 


And  fast  the  shapely 

hull  was  laiil. 
Then    ovei-   all    the\- 


elamhered  soon, 


J.il 


Ke       hees 


around 


their  hive  in  dune. 

'T  was  hanunei',  ham- 

mer,hereandtheiv, 


And 


rip   and    rackt't       '.^ 


I'verywliere, 
10 


mis. 


Or  who  ;i   loss  of  stock   miuiit  claim; 


Siiitply   kc|i1   cvcii   with  dciiia 


11(1, 


Convenient   to  the  riii'yer's  hand 


T  was  marvelous  to  see   how   last 


lie    \fSS( 


1   was  toyvther  cast 


I'litil,   with  all   its  rius  and  sta\s. 
it   sat    prepared  to  lea\e  the  wavs. 
It   l>ut    reiiiaiiii'd  to  name  it    now. 
And  hreak  a   liottle  on   the  liow. 
To  knock  the  wedi;es  I'roni   the  side, 
And  IVoni  the  keel,  and  let    it   slide. 

And  when   it   r-ide  npoii  tl 

'IMie    P)l'own 


le    sea. 


les    t  lll'oni;V(l    t  lie    (|ec|<    Wl 


til  ,ul 


('(' 


And  \ceriiiL;'  'round  in   proper  style 
'rhe\    'lore  awa\    I'or  nearest   isle. 


i^)Ut    those  who  will  the  oi-eaii  liravo 
Should   he  prepareil  lor  wind  and   wavt' ; 
l''or  storms  will  I'ise,  as  many  know, 
When   least    we  look   I'or  siiuall  or  l»lo\v. 
And  soon  the  sky  was  overcast, 

.\ii(l  waves  were  running  liigii  and  fast 

iiu 


So.    sonic    brave 

Brownii's        iio1»ly 

stood 
And  iiijinncd  tlic  ship 

as  best  they  <'ou](l. 
Sonic   staid  on  deck 

to  sound   for  liars  ; 
Some  went    alolt    to 

watch  for  stars  ; 
And  some  ai-oimd  the 

rudder  luiny'. 
And  here   and    there 

the  vessel  swung, 
While  others,  struni^ 

on  yard  and  mast, 
Kept    shit'tiny-     sails 

to  suit  the  Mast. 

At  times,  the  how 
Avas  liiiiii   ill  air. 

.\nd  next  the  stern 
was  lil'tcd  there. 


Then  some  were  sick  and  some  were  tilled 

With  tears  that  all  their  ardor  chilled; 

lint,  as  when  dangers  do  assail 

The  humaidviiid,  though  some  may  quail. 

There  will  he  found  a  few  to  face 

Tlio  <langer,  and  redeem  the  race, — 


So  thus  it  tumltled,  tossed,  and  rolled, 
And  shi)»ped  enough  to  till  the  hold, 
Till  more  than  once  it  seemed  as  tliough 

To  U'vd  the  fish  they  all  must   go. 

1 1 1 


T 


iiil^''^^'7?-'''^ 


'mc 


'/ 


h'^  IIJ-I- 


Hut  still  tlicy  liravcly  tarkod  iind   voorod. 
Ami     liaiilcd.     and     ivci'cd,    and     onward 

stcci'i'd  ; 
W'liilf     s<-i-caiiiin<i'      hirds      around     tlit'iii 

wlitM'lfd. 
As   if    to  >ay  :    "  \'oiir  doom   is  Sfalccl"; 
And   liiiiiurv  uar  and   lioprful  shark 
III  slioals  |uirsufil  the  crrakin^'  hark. 
Still   woiidcriiiii'  how   it    hravcd  a  pdf 
That    iiiiuht    ha\c   iiiadr   ColuHihiis  jialc 

Thr  nit;Lif(l  island,  near  tlicni  now, 
Was  looiiiiny'  <>ii  their  starhoai'd   how  ; 
Hut   knowing  not   t!i<'  proper  way 
( »r  eiiteriiiy'  its  sheltered   liay. 
i'liey  sii'iply  kept   their  canvas  spread, 
And  steered  the  vessel   straiuiit  alicad. 
The  hir.ls  were  distaneed   in  the  race; 
The  uar  and  shark  i:a\-e  np  the  (diase, 
And  tiirniiii;'  lia<d<.   forsook  the   ki'el. 
And  lost    their  <dianees  of  a  meal. 


For  now  the  ship  to  ruin  llew. 

As  thoiiiiii   il    f<'lt    its  work   was  thronicli. 

And  soon  it    stranded.  "  pitidi  and  toss," 

rpoii   I  he  rocks,  a  total   loss. 

The  masts  and  spins  went    hy  the  hoard  — 

The   hull   was  shivered   like  a   ^durd  I 

liut  yet,  oil   lirokeii   plank  and   rail. 

On  spliiileri'(!  spai's  ami  hits  ol'  sail 

That   strewed  for  miles  the  niji'fjjed  strand, 

The   lirownies  sah'ly  I'eaidied  the  land. 

11^ 


Now,  Brownies  lack  the  jiowci',  't   is  said. 
Of  makiiiy'  twicf  what  once  tiicy 'vc  inadf; 
So  all  their  efforts  were  in   vain 
To  l»uil(l  and  lainicli  the  shii)  ayaiii;  — 
And  on  that  island,  roaniinj;  'round, 
That   Brownie  hand  for  vi'ai's  was  I'ountl. 


10* 


113 


TllK    injoWMKS'    KETl^KN 


Onci;  wliilc  llic   I^)ro\viii('s  lay  at  case 
Alxiiit   till'  I'dots  (»f  niii'u,'<'il  trees. 
And   listeiieil   lo  Hie  (li'eurv  iiioan 
or  tidrs  ni'iiiiiKl  tlicii-  island  lone, 


Said 


one 


M 


y  tViends.  nn]ia])|)y  hen 


We  spend  our  days  from  year  to  year, 

We  'i-e  (•oi'nere(l  in,  and  liardly  Imast 

A  run  of  twenty  leai-'ues  at  most. 
1 1 1 


\ 


You  all  renieniber  well,  1  ween, 
Tlic  uijiht  we  reaclicd  tliis  island  f-reeu, 
AVlieii  tlocks  ol'  I'owl  around  us  waile«l, 
And  followed  till  their  ]»inions  failed. 
And  still  iiui'  sliij)  at   cNcry  wave 
To  sharks  a  crcakini;'  promise  ^ave, 
Then  spilled  us  out  in  breakers  white, 
To  gain  the  land  as  best   we  ndyht. 
Since  then  how  oft   we  've  tried  in  vain 
To  reach  oiu'  nativi'  haunts  aj-'ain, 
Where  roaniinu'  freely,  uneonlined, 
Would  better  suit  our  rovint-'  mind. 

'To-night,  while  wandering  liy  the  sea, 
A  novel  scheme  oecnirred  to  me. 
As  I  beheld  in  groups  and  rows 
The  weary  fowl  in  deej)  rei)ose. 
They  sat  as  motionless  as  though 
The  life  had  left  them  years  ago. 
The  all)ati'oss  and  crane  are  then'. 
The  loon,  the  gull,  and  gannet  rare. 
An  easy  task  for  us  to  creep 
Around  the  fowl,   while  fast  asleej), 
Aiul  at  a  given  signal  spi'ing 
Aboard,  befoiv  they  spread  a  wing. 
And  trust  to  them  to  bear  us  o\'r, 
In  safety  to  oiu-  native  shore." 

Another  spoke  :  "  1  nevt'r  yi't 
Have  slumned  a  i-isk  that   othei's  met. 
But  heiv  micommon  dangei's  lie, 
Suppose  the  fowl  should  seaward  tly, 

115 


\ 


And  iicvrr  landiny,  course  al)Out, 

And  dr(i[»  lis,  wlicii  tlu'ir  winj^'s  gave  out  T' 

To  shallow  si'liciiK's  that  will  not  Iji'ing 

A  uiodcst  risk,  1ft   cowards  tdinj;- ! 

Tiu'  tirst   replied.      "  A  lirowuie   shows 

The  liest  where  dau.i'vrs  thickest  (dose. 

i^nt.  hear  iiie  out  :  l)y  sea  and  laud, 

Their  hahils  well    1    uudei'staiid. 

When  risiuii'  tii'st  they  ciivde   wide. 

As  though  the  streiiii'th  d'  wiiin's  they  tiied, 

Then  steei'iiiu'  sti'aiglit  aci'os^;  the  bay, 

To  youtlei-  coast  a  visit   iiay. 

But   li'rantinn'  they  for  ouce  should  be 

Inclined  to  strike   t'oi-  open  sea, 

'i'he  hree/.e  that   now  is  rising  fast, 

Will   freshen  to  a   whistliun'  blast, 

And  landward  sweei)in,n',  stronger  still, 

Will  dri\e  the  fowl  against  their  will." 


Now  at    his  heels,   with  willing  feet, 
They  jolloweil  to  the  fowls'  retreat. 
"P  was   hard   to  scale   the  rugged   br<'ast 
Of  crau's.  wheiv  birds  took   idghtly  rest. 
Ibil  sonic  on  hands,  and  some  on   knees, 
j      And  more  liy  vines  oi'  roots  of  trees, 
l''rom  shelf  to  shelf  imtiring  strained, 
i\i      And  soon   the  windy  summit   gaiiie(l.         i^, 
With  bateil  bivath.they  gathered  rouml ; 
They  ci'awled  with  cai'c  along  the  gi'ound. 
W       P>\-  this,  one  ]»aused;  or  that,  one  eyed;    ^\\X, 

y      Ea(di  chose  the  bird  he  wialied  tu  ride.       -  fi*lli, 

iiu 


/.„  .-  J 


Wlii'ii  ill]  li;i<l  <l<.!i.- th»-l»#->f  fhfv  •^.  .j*'^'i»-\       ,yx, 

If  1      11    .    1               .•  IM.i^  #*^J^W- 

It  nai'dly  t<H.k  a  iii'»iii»-nt  s  space  _^       "\>^^  ^X^''<^(p*iP^^r' 

For    cacli    1o    HTdiJil.I.-    to    hi>  ,^  *W^.'^>J&^4ife 


8<JiiJ«'  .•*«"iz»'il  a  iifck  and  sonic  a  head, 
AikI  i»mi>-  a  wiii^".  and  soinc  a  slircd 
(►f  tail,  or  aiiu'lit   that   nearest    lay. 
T<»  li«-l|>  tlieiii  mount   without   del;iy. 
TIk'II  ros*'  wild  flaps  and  ])ieri'inn'  screams. 
As  sii«14»>n  startiui;  fi'oiii  their  dreams 
Tb"  %v«.nileiinii'  fowl   in  sore  dismay 
Bnmifht  wiriiTs  and  muscles  into  play. 
S<tiu''  f'\l  the  need  ot'  louii'er  slee]). 
Arul  Iianlly  had  the  strength  to  "  (dieep : " 

1  IT 


Whilo  otliors  sccincfl  to  find  n  storo 
Of  scrciiiiis  they  M  ncvt'i-  fouiKl  lM'f()r<\ 
— Hut  otT  likf  Iciivrs  (If  tljiUcs  (if  snow 

licfotv    llir    'S\\r    til"'    liroWllirs   i;(), 

Awiiy,  away,  tliroiiuli  spfay  (.r  cloud 
As  fancy  lc(l.  ur  lo.-id  allowed. 
S(»nic  l)ii'ds  In  |iM().   ailvantaixc  showctl. 
As,  with  an  oddly  lialanccd  load. 
Now  viiilit  or  left  at   raudoiii  cast, 

They  How,  the  sport 

of  every   hlast  ; 
AVhile      lish     Itelow 

liad  aehin;^"  eyes 
With  siazinuiii)vvard 

at  the  prize. 

They   t'ldlowed   .still 

from  nnle  to  mile, 

Believiiit;-       fortune 

yet    would  smile; 

While  ]»lainer  to  the 

Brownies  j^rew 
The  hills  and  vales 
that     well     they 
knew. 
"1     se(>,"    said     on(>, 
who,     from      his 

] )( )St 

Between  the  winji;s, 
could     view     the 
coast, 
"  The  lofty  peaks  we 


used  to  (dimh 


118 


To     f^ll'/A'    U]H)I1     tllC 

scent'  sul»lii!ic." 
A     second     cricil  : 
"Andtlieiv'stlie 

buy 

Fr<»nnvlii<'houi'Vi's- 
sel  hoi'c  awav  I  " 
''And     1."     aiiotlier 
crie(l,    "  can    see 

Tlie   shady   throve, 

the  very  tree 
We     met     lieneatli 

the      nin'lit     we 

l>lanned 
To  Imikl  a  ship  and 

leave  tlio  land!" 

All  in  confusion 
now  at  last, 

The  birds  r.i)ou  the 
shoi'c  were  cast. 

Some,  tunildins; 
throujjjli  thick 
branches,  fell 


And  spilled  the  load  that  cluny  so  wel 
Some,  "  to[>sy-tui'vy "'  to  the  y-round. 
Dispersed  their  ri<lers  all  around; 
And  others  still  could  barely  uct 
To  shores  where  land  and  water  met. 


C'onj;;ratulations  then   Ijci^an, 

As  here  and  thei'c  the   Bi-ownies  ran, 
II 'J 


T,.  Iciiiii  if  nil  Imd  li»'l<l  tiicir  iiv'ip 
And  k<'|>l   alHi:ii'<l  llii'uimhoiit   tlif  trip. 
•Ami  iinw,"  saitl  oiii',  "that   all  art'  oV-i- 
111  safety  to  uiir  native  shore, 
Vnli   see.    so   wasted    is    tile    lli^llt, 
Orion's  helt   is  out   of  siuh.t  ; 
And  eiv  the  laiiip  of  Venus  I'ailes 
We  all  must    ,va(di  tin-  forest   shades. 


TlIK    IJUOWNIKS-    SIX(iIN(i-S(MI()OL. 


S  mists   of  evellill^i'   deeper   u'l'eW, 

The   iirownies  'round  a  comrade  drew, 
An   iiiti' vstiiiii'  tale  to  heai' 
Alioi'i   .(    *'iriap'  lyiiii;'  near. 

'•  Last  nii^iit."  said  he.  "  I  heard  aviso 
From  many  thi'oats  discordant  cries. 
At  once   1    followe(l  up  the  sound. 
And  soon,  to  my  amazement,  found 
It   issued  from  a  huildins  small 
Tiiat  answered  for  the  county  hall. 

"•I   listened  tliei'e  ai'oiind  the  door. 
By  villau'e  time,  an  hour  oi-  nioi'e ; 
Cntil  I  learned  beyond  a  douht 
A  sing'ing-scliool  causetl  all  the  rout. 

V20 


Sonic,  like  till'  lioiiiid,  would  keep  alicad, 

And  ollii'i's  scciiH'd  l(»  lai;"  instead. 

Soiui'  siiiL^ci's,  sf i'ii;fuliiin'  with  the  tunc, 

,  Outscrcanicd  tin'  IViylitcucd   northern   loon. 

Sonic  niocki'd  the  pinched  or  whcc/ini;'  cry 

Of  locu>t,s  when  the  wheat   is  niyli, 

While  urundtlin-i-  hassos  shamed  the  strain 

Of  luill-fro;4s  callinn'  down  the  I'ain."  '  "*•„    ^'T,'^ 

-  -i"      -^    w  ■7'!'.  • 

And  if  you  thiidv  those  Hi'ownics  hold        ^,>  ^tX^/^i'&tjaiMf^ 


Tho  Brownies  lahor  heai't  and  hand 
All  mysteries  to  understand  ; 


Received  the  news  so  plainly  told,  .     jr^'j^ 

And  thought  no  more  ahout  the  ))la('c,     ';^^.!^#''^, 
You  're  not  familiar  with  the  race. 


^■^'^'■^'coxl''''^^-*---/^^4'' 


\r' 


11 


121 


When  scholars  next  tlicir  voices  ti-icd, 
The   Brownies  came  from  eveiy  side; 
Witli  ears  to  knot-holes  in  the  wall, 
To  door-jaml>s,  thresholds,  hjinds,  and  all, 
_  They  listi'iied   to   the   jarring 

T^^^s  din 

Proceeding    from    the     room 

within. 


/-> 


_--;^r9P^^ 


Said  Olio  at  lonstli.  "  Tt  sooins  to  mo 
The  inast or  hoiv  will  earn  his  foo. 
If  ho  From  such  a  orowd  <'au  hrinu; 
A  siiitilo  person  trahiod  to  siii^." 
Anothor  said,  "  Wo  '11  lot  thorn  try 
Thoir  voioos  till  thoir  throats  aro  dry, 
And  when  for  homo  thoy  all  dopart, 
We'll  not  1)0  slow  to  tost  our  art." 

That  niiiht  tli»^  Brownies  (dioorod  to  find 
The  music  had  hoon  loft  hohind : 
And  when  tln'y  stoixl  within  the  hall, 
And  Itooks  wore  hande<l  "r(mnd  to  :dl, 
Thoy  i)itehod  their  voi<'os,  weak  or  stronLi', 
At  solemn  verse  and  liii-htor  semi-'. 


,      .1.1  Ti      i-.ti,..i  1,.     I  II, ■■  .!nini    TIte  si-.-l.i  phiv'd  the  !;nii-''<-.n-r 


Homo  souu'ht  a  j^ood  old  hymn  to  try; 
Some  li'rapplod  with  a  Inllahy; 
A  few  a  painful  oifort  mado 
To  stl■u^•.^•lo  throuii'h  a  soronado; 
While  more  preferred  tl'.o  lively  air 
That,  hinting-  less  of  love  or  care. 
Possessed  a  chorus  loud  and  Itrii-lit 
In  which  thoy  all  coidd  well  unite. 
At  times  some  moiMhor  tried  to  i  ulo, 
And  took  control  oi  all  the  school; 


i'.';i 


But  soon,  dospnirinc;,  was  ooiitont 
To  li't  tliom  follow  out  their  bent. 

They  sunt,'  both  hiu'h  and  low,  the  same, 
As  fanc.'V  led  or  eouraii;e  came. 


PALMCIf  CI  \ 


Sonic  (h'oncd  (lie  June  tlu'ontih  te(>t]i  or  Tiose, 
Some  |)i|)e(l  like  ((uail,  or  eaw(Ml  like  crows 
Tiiat,  Inumry,  wait   lln'  noonday  horn 
To  call  the  tarnier  from   his  coiii. 


By  turns  at  windows  sonio  would  stiiy 
To  note  tlu'  si.i'-ns  of  coining-  day. 
At  k'nyth  the  morning,  rising,',  spread 
Along  the  eoast  her  streaks  of  red, 
And  dr(jve  the  Brownies  from  the  place 
To  undertake  the  homeward  race. 

But  many  menihers  of  the  l)and 

Still  kept  their  singing-hooks  in  hand, 

Determined  not  with  those  to  iiart 

Till  they  w(n-e  perfect  in  the  art. 

And  oft  in  leafy  foi-est  shade, 

in  after  times,  a  ring  they  made. 

To  pitch  the  tune,  and  raise  the  voice. 

To  sing  the  verses  of  their  (dioice, 

And  scare   tVom  hranches  overhead 

The  speckled  thrush  and  rohin  red, 

And  make  tlu^m  feel  the  time  had  eome 

When  shiging  hirds  might  well  he  dmnl). 


U» 


lar. 


TllK    injOWXIKS'    KliIEXI)L^^    TrUN. 


Said         i': 
lu'i'('al)()iit 


One  iiifi'lit  while  snow  Avas  lyin.u'  deep 
On  level  i)lain  and  mountain  steep, 
A  sheltered  nook  the  Brownies  found, 
Where  conversation  might  go  'round. 
:      "  The    people 


Their    wood    supplv    have  ^      ■^'i-^'^-^'ifH^^'^^xiif.'M'^f^^ 

tid<en  out:  #.P  |4-^!^-\  ■-#^^1:"#^ 

But     wliilc     tliey    stripped  :?^-^  i^  f '^ 

tlu'  tiiulK'r  lot,  -    -  %  ^  ^  T; 

The    village     parson    they  l^'V 


/ 


Now  that  good  man,  the  story  goes, 
As  hest  he  can,  nmst  warm  Ins  toes." 

i'JO 


1 


Auotlier  spoke  :     "  Tlie  way  is  clear' 
To  show  l)otli  skill  and  convaiit'  lierc 
You  'iv  not  the  sort,  I.  know,  to  shirk  : 
And  coward-like  to  flee  from  work. 
You  act  at  once  whene'er  you  And 
A  chance  to  render  service  kind. 
Nor  wait  to  see  what  others  do 
In  matters  that  appeal  to  you. 

'•This  task  in  waiting'  nmst  be  done 
Before  another  day  has  run. 
The  si<ais  of  chans-'e  are  in  the  air; 
A  storm  is  near  though  skit's  are  fan'; 
As  oft  wlien  snules  the  broadest  lie, 
The  tears  are  nearest  to  the  eye. 
To  work  let  every  Brownie  bend, 
And  prove  to-night  the  pai'son's  friend. 
We  '11  not  take  oxen  from  the  stall, 
That  through  the  day  nuist  pidl  and  haul. 

Nor  horses  from  the  manger  lead; 
But  let  them  take  the  rest  they  need. 
Since  mystic  power  is  at  our  call. 
By  our  own  selves  we  '11  do  it  all. 
Our  willing  arms  shall  take  tlu>  place 
Of  clanking  chain  and  leathern  trace. 
And  'round  the  door  the  wood  we  'U  strew 
Until  we  hide  the  house  from  view." 


At  once  the  Brownies  sought  the  ground 
Where  fuel  could  with  ease  bt^  found,— 
A  place  where  forest-lires  had  spread. 
And  left  the  tind)er  scorched  and  dead. 

137 


And  there  tlirouiiflunit  tli(>  eliilly  ni<;]it 
They  tu^'o-od  and  tore  with  all  their  niiffht; 
tSonie  l)eariii,Lr  hranehes  as  tlieir  load; 
With  lengthy  poles  still  others  strode, 


F-Vo 


%#ftil^  tei 


Or  strng-gled  till  they  searee  conld  see, 
Witli  logs  tliat  hent  them  like  a  \- 
While  more  from  nndei-  drifts  of  snow 
Tienioved  old  trees,  and  made  tlieni  go 
Like  ])lows  along  tlu>  icy  street, 

1  L'S 


With  luili'  tlu'ir  limbs  and  roots  coinplctr. 
Bonic  fomid  it  Imrd  to  train  tlirir  loi;' 
To  keep  its  place  tUrouiih  jolt  and  jo^', 
While  some,  mistaking  ditch  for  r(jad, 
Were  ahnost  hmied  with  tlieir  load. 
And  hut  for  friends  and  jyi-omptest  care. 
The  morning  light  had  found  them  there. 


The  A^nd  that  night  was  col<i  and  keen, 
And  frosted  Brownies  oft  wer.'  seen. 
They  clapped  their  hands  and  stamped  th(>n 
They  nihhod  with  snow  each  numhing  nose, 
And  (hvw  the  frost  from  every  face 
Before  it  proved  a  painful  case. 

And  thus,  in  spite  of  every  ill, 
The  task  was  earned  forward  still. 
Some  were  l)y  nature  well  designed 
For  work  of  this  laborious  kind, 
And  never  felt  so  truly  great. 
As  when  half  crushed  beneath  a  W(Mght. 
While  wondering  conn-ades  stood  aghast, 
And  thought  each  step  nmst  be   th(^  last. 

But  some  wer(>  slight  ami  ill  c<.uM  lu.ar 
The  heavy  loads  that  p.-oved  then-  share, 

1  •-".» 


toes. 


Thonu'li  at  some  sport  or  cnuiiinu;  ))laii 
They  far  bcyoiul  tiicir  coiiiradcs  ran. 

Ai'ound  tlie  house  some  staid  to  jtilc 
Tlu'  ji'atherod  wood  in  ])rop('r  style  ; 
Wliieli  ever  liarder  work  they  found 
As  hiji'h  and  hiyher  rose  the  mound. 

Ahove  the  window-sill  it  j^Tew, 
And  next,  the  corniee  hid  from  view; 
And,  ere  the  dawn  had  forced  a  stop, 
Tlie  pile  o'erlooked  the  ehimney-top. 

Some  hands  W(M'e  sore,  some  l)arks  wei'e  hhie, 
And  leji's  were  s('ra])ed  with  slii)])in,t>'  throuiih 
"\Miere  ice  and  snow  had  left  their  mark 
On  rounded  li>n'  and  s)uoot1iest  hark. 

That  morniuii',  wlien  the  parson  rose, 
Against  the  pane  he  pressed  his  nose, 
And  tried  the  outer  world  to  scan 
To  leani  how  sig-ns  of  weather  ran. 

But,  "I'ound  the  house,  hehind,  hefore. 
In  front  of  window,  sheil,  and  door. 
The  wood  was  ]»iled  to  such  a  heijfht 
But  little  skv  was  left  in  sight! 


When  next   he  elimhed  his  pulj)it  stair. 

He  tou(died  u])on  the  strang(!  affair, 

And  asked  a  hlessing  rich  to  fall 

Fi)on  th(»  heads  and  homos  of  all 

Who  through  the  night  had  woi'ked  so  harrl 

To  heap  the  fuel  'round  the  yard. 


His  lif-an-i-s  knt'W  they  had  no  claim 
To  .such  a  blt-ssin;;'  if  it  canie, 
But  whi-siK-ifMl :    •*  We  don't   uiuU'rstaiid  — 
It  nuLst  hav»-  Im'cu  the  Browuit'  liaiid.'' 


131 


TiiK  HijowxiKs'  Korirni  ok  jcly. 


When  IndepeiKU'iicc  Day  was  ni^li, 
And  cliildirn  laid  tla-ir  iK'nnifs  l)y, 
Ai'vaiiniii}^  ])lans  how  ovt-iy  cfiit 
Sliould  ci'li'ld'ati'  till'  graiul  t-veiit, 
The  Brownies  in  their  earnest  way 
Expressed  themselves  about  the  day. 

Bald  one  :   "  The  time  is  drawini;  near — 

To  every  freeman's  heart  so  dear — 

When  eitizens  throui-iiout  the  land, 

From    Western    sloi)e    to    Eastern 
strand, 


y 


J 


Will  ccU'lmitf  with  Itooniiiij-'  .n'un 
Tlioir  liberties  s(»  dearly  won!" 

••  A  littiiiL-'  time,"  another  cried, 
•*  Foi'  us,  who  many  sports  have  tried, 
To  introduce  our  mystic  art 
And  in  some  manner  play  a  part." 
A  third  rejtlied,   with  l)eaniinti'  face 
"Trust  me  to  lead  you  to  a  phur 
Where  iireworks  of  every  kind 
Are  made  to  suit  the  loyal  mind. 

"There,  Konian  caudles  are  in  store. 
And  l)oud)S  tlu\t  like  a  cannon  roar; 
While  'round  the  room  one  may  behold 
Desij^nis  of  every  sizt'  and  meld, — 
The  wheels  that  turn,  wheu  all  ablaze, 
And  seatter  sparks  a  thr,asand  ways; 
The  ea^le  bii-d,  with  i)"nions  spread; 
The  l)usts  of  statesUKu  ages  dead ; 
And  hhn  who  led  his  tattered  band 
Against  invaders  of  the  land 

Until  he  shook  the  countiy  frue 

From  grasp  of  kings  beyond  tlie  sea. 

"We  may,  from  this  K'lpply,  with  ease 
Seem-e  a  share  wheivd'cr  we  please; 
And  on  these  Ijilis  behind  the  town 
That  to  the- plain  go  sloping  down, 

/'     We  '11  take  position,  come  what  may. 
And  eelel)rate  the  Nation's  Day." 


hen  stars  began  to  shine. 
The  eager  band  was  formed  hi  line, 


That  eve,  w 


12 


i;i;i 


Aiitl,  iictiii^'  <»n  the  plans  well  laid, 
A   i(»unu'V  to  the  town  was  niadt!. 

The  lii'ownics  novel'  jjo  astray, 

However  pu/zlin^'  is  the  way; 

With  liuides  hcfore  and  ;i;uards  l»ehind, 

TIk'V  cut  throuuh  I'very  tiivn  and  wind, 

Until  a  halt   was  made  at   last 

Before  a  Ituildiui;"  Itoltcd  fast. 

But   those  who  think  they  M  turn  ai-oinid 

A]id  leave  ht'cause  no  keys  are  t'oinid 

Should  entei-tain  the  thought  no  more, 

But  stiidy  up  the  Brownie  lore. 

Th"y  rununa^ied  lioxes  piled  around 

And  hei;>ed  themselves  to  what  they  found, 

S(»liie   eaji-ei    to   secin'e    the    wheel 

That   would  s.  >  many  spai'ks  reveal. 

Some  active  nK';uI)ers  of  the  hand 

To  l)omhs  and  cr.'.ekers  tui-ned  their  hand, 

While  moi'e  those    'Uihlems  sou^^ht  to  find 

That  call  the  Nation's  hirth  to  mind, 

And  hrini;  from  every  side  the  shout 

"When  all  their  meauintf  blazes  out. 


Ere  lon<;,  u])on  the  homeward  road 
They  hastened  with  their  novel  load; 
And  when  tlie  l)ell  in  chapel  tower 
Gave  notice  of  the  midnight  hour, 
ia4 


Tho  nuldy  tliiiiic,  llio  tnniiii};  wlicrl, 
Tho  sliowcriiii,'  spafkn  luid  (Icat'ciiinK  ponl 
Hli(»\V('(l   Brownies  in  the  proper  way 
(iave  welcome  to  the  ^^lorious  <lay. 


■JT 


:^-'.;-:v*j 


Tlic  lighted  oaglos,  thi-oxij^h  the  night, 
Looked  down  like  constellations  bright ; 
Tho  rockets,  whizzuig  to  and  fro, 
Jjit  np  the  shun])ering  town  helow ; 


i:)." 


I 


Wliilr.  toworiiiji'  tliovo  with  eyes  of  firo. 
As  wiu'ii  1u'  inado  liis  fcx'.s  retire, 
AIhivc  all  emldciiis  duly  raised, 
Tlie  Father  of  his  I'oimtiy  hla/ed. 


But  ere  the  Bro^Yrlies'  larti'e  siii»])ly 

Had  Li-one  to  lii-'lit  the  summer  sky. 

Some  plasters  would  have  served  the     ^       band 
Much   better   tliau    the    y-oods    ou    ^        baud; 
For      there      were      easts      all  al»out 

Where  Hrowiues  tbouiibt   the      ^      fuse  was  out. 
Till     with    a    suddeu    Hzz    ^       and  tlare 
It    rauuht     the     jokers  unaware. 

At    times,    ill    spili'   of  warning'  ''I-K's. 

Home  jtroved  too  slow  at  (dos-         ''   in.ii  eyes: 
Some    ears    wre    stiuuied.      ^      some  noses  ^'ot 
Too  (dose  to  somethinir  ^\\\\i\  and  hot. 

And    tini'vrs   l)ore    for        ''    days  and   weeks 
The  traee  of  hasty     ^       powder's  freaks. 

Some  dod,u-ini;-       ,     "I'ouu-l  would  i:vt  a  share 

Of  splendor  ineaiil    for  upptT  air. 

And  with         ''  a  bla''k  oi'  s])eekled  face 

They  ran  al>out  from  jilar-e  to  idaeo, 
To  find  new  daniivrs  blnzc  and  l>urn 
On  e\fry  side  wbere'i^r  they'd  turn. 

Ibil    frw  weiv  thrre  wlio  felt   afraid 

Of  burstiuii  bomli  or  fusillade. 

And  to  tlie  pri/.<'  tlnwM  sti<d<  and  ban.^ 

I'lUil   it    vanislied  with  a  '"  l»an^'," 

<M'  dai'tini>-  upward  st-emed  to  ily 

On  special  business  to  tiie  sky. 

130 


I 


But  tlieiv.  wliile  diivknc'ss  wrjippi'tl  tlu'  hill, 

The  Bi'ownii's  ('elel)rate(l  still ; 

For,  pleasures  siicli  as  this  they  t'(juud 

But  seldom  in  theii"  roaniiuji-  'round; 

And  with  reluetant  feet  they  lied 

^y\m\  uioniing  tinged  tlu^  sky  vdth  red. 


137 


THE    BROAVXEES    JX    11TE    1\)T-STT0P. 


y^'"'  £?{•■' '""'^      V 


W0W 


As  SHADES  of  evouing  settled  down, 
Tlie  Browuk's  riiinl)led  throiiu'li  the  town, 
To  pry  at  this,  to  pause  at  that; 
By  something  else  to  hold  a  chat. 
And  in  their  free  and  easy  vein 
Express  themselves  in  langnage  plain. 

At  length  before  a  store,  their 

eyes 
Were    lixed    with    wondei'    and 

surprise 
On   toys  of  wood,  and  wax,  and 

tin, 
And  toys  of  ruMx'i-  piled  within. 


i;j8 


Said  otic,  "111  all  our  \vaii(loi'int>'  'round, 
A  sight  like  this  we  nrvrr  found. 
When  such  a  i)assing  g-limpst',  wo  gain, 
What  marvels  must  the  shelves  contuiu  ! " 

Another  said,   "Vlt  must   be  here 

Old  Saula  Clans  eomes  ev<'iy  year 

To  gather  ui)  his  large  supply, 

When  Christnuis  Eve  is  drawing  nigh, 

That  (dnldreu  through  the  land  may  liud 

They  still  are  treasured  in  his  uiind." 

A  third  remarked,  "  Vav  long  he  may 

Again  his  yearly  visit  pay; 

Before  hr  comes  to  strip  tlu>  jdaee, 

We  dl  runnnage  sliflf.  and  hox,  and  ease, 

Until  II:     building  we  explore 

From  attic  roof  to  basement   tloor. 

And   prove  what   pleasure  may   <■■    ound 

In  all  the  womlers  stowe-l  around." 

Not   long  wert    'hey  c(»ntent  to  vi<\v 
Through  (lusty  par  s  those  wondei's  new; 
And,  in  a   liiannci-  (luite  tluMr  own, 
Thev  mai      their  way  through  wood  and  stone. 

And  then  .'surprises  met  the  band 
In  o(hl  ei'iic.it     tVom  every  land. 
Well  nught    ihe  Brownies  stand  and  stare 
At  all  the  objects  crowded  there  ! 
Here,  things  of  gentle  nature  lay 
In  safety,  nndst  the  i)easts  of  prey; 
The  goose  and  fox.  a  friendly  pair, 
Reposed  beside  the  land)  and  bearj 
i;ii) 


Thovo  liorsos  stooil  for  boys  to  ride; 
llcrv  lioats  were  waithiu-  for  tlio  ti(l(>, 


While  sliips  (if  war,  with   every  sail 
Unfurled,   were  aiiclunvd  to  a  nail; 
Thrre  stddicrs  stood  in  warlike  bands; 
And  naked  dolls  li.'ld  out   their  hands, 
As  though  to  TU-.ii'e  tlic  ])assers-by 
To  tal<r  thrni  from  the  ]»ubli.-  eye. 
This  way  and  tliat,  the   P>rownies  ran; 
To  1r\    the  tovs  they  soon  he^'an. 


(.'•>.»'*: 


err  ^' 


:-^:^- 


n 


liO 


In     suij^'le     riiuks     and     double 
rows 


'■Tr"'«^^¥»»-i>*""^?^i»pw""rT 


The  Jack-in-l)ox,  so  quick  and  strong, 
AVith  staring  eyes  and  wliiskci's  long, 
Now  o'er  and  o'or  was  set  and  sprung 
Until  tho  scalp  was  from  it  flung 
And  then  tliey  crannued  liini  in 

his  ease. 
With  wig  and  night-cap  in  then- 

pla(?o. 
To  give  some  customer  a  start 
When    next    tlic    jumper    flew 

apart. 
Tho  trum])ets,  di-ums.  and  weap- 
ons bi'ight 
Soon  filled  them  all  with  great 

delight. 
Like  troops  preparing  for  their 
foes. 


m- 


'M<tr.- 


They  learned  the  arts  of  war,  as  told 
Hy  ])rinted  hooks  and  veterans  old; 
With  swords  of  tin  and  guns  of  wood, 

They  wheeled  about,  and  marched  or  stood, 

:  1 1 


And     went     tlirou^'li     Hkiniiish 

drill  and  all, 
From  room  to  room  l)y  Inigle- 

call ; 
Tlicic  ]\raratlion  and  Waterloo 
And   Jiunkcr   Hill  were  fought 

anew  ; 
Antl  most  of  those  in  war  array 
At  last  went  limping'  from  the 

fray. 
The  musi('-l)ox  poured  forth  an 

ail- 
That  cliarmed  the  dullest  si)mts 

there. 


Till,  yieldinu'  to  the  plcasiiiti'  sound. 
They  danced   with  dolls  a  lively  I'ound. 

Thfi'e  lish  Were  workini;'  tail  and   lin 
in  seas  coiilincd  by  wood  and  tin  ; 
Tlie  canvas  shark  and  riilther  whale 
Seemed  il'    coutenT   in  dish  oi-  pail, 
And   leaping'  all  o))sti'ncti(ms  o'er 
Perfonneil  their  antics  on  the  iioor. 


Some  found  at  mai'hh^s  "greatest  fun, 
vVnd  still  they  ])laye(l,  and  still  they  won, 
Until  they  claimed  as  winners,  all 
The  shop  could  fiu'iush,  large  and  small. 


■J  12 


More  gave  tlio  singing  tops  no  rest — 
But  kept  tlieni  spinning  at  their  best 
Until  some  wonder  strange  and  new 
To  other  points  attention  drew. 

The  roeking-horse  that  wihlly  rose, 
Now  oil  its  heels,  now  on  its  nose, 

Was  forced  t()  l)ear  so  great  a  load 

It  seemed  to  founder  on  the  road. 

Then  tundde  feebly  to  the  tlnor. 

Never  to  lift  a  roeker  more. 

No  building  in   the  country  wide 
With  nion'  attraetions  was  sup[)hed, 
No  shop  oi"  store  throughout  the  land 
Could  better  suit  tlie  Brownie  band. 
For  when  some  flimsy  toy  gavi'  way 

And  'round  the  room  in  pieees  lay 


^mu 


14U 


"r  was  liiinlly  missed  in  sucli  a  store, 
With  woihUts  fairly  niiiuinj;'  «»'<'r; 
To  soinrtiiini;'  else  altout    tlif  place 
'I'lic  luqipy  lintwiiie  tui'iu'tl  his  I'jK'e, 
Aiul  only  I'eaivd  the  sun   woiihl  call 
Before  heM  had  his  six.rt   with  all. 


'I 
•5j 


Thus,  tlivouu-h  the  shop  in  firoatest  glee, 
They  rattled  "round,  the  si^dits  to  see, 
Till  stars  he.uan  to  dwindle  down, 
And  niorui)!^'  crept  into  tlie  town. 
^Vjid  then,    with  all  the  speed  they  knew, 
Away  to  forest  shades  tlu'y  tlevv. 


144 


1 


f 

■ll'il. 


T 


